Television set capable of controlling external device and image storage controlled by television set

ABSTRACT

An image storage for storing digital still image data is connected to a television set for selectively watching a broadcast program in a first mode or a still image transmitted from the image storage in a second mode. The image storage has an input circuit for receiving a control signal form the television set and an output circuit for transmitting a still image signal to the television set on the basis of the digital still image data, the output circuit being responsive to the control signal. The television set, on the other hand, has an output circuit for transmitting the control signal to the image storage. By means of the control signal, the image storage is automatically turned on or off when the television set is turned on or off, respectively. The control signal makes image storage operative or inoperative when the television set is in the second mode or in the first mode, respectively, to save power consumption with the television set in the first mode. The image storage may be further connected to a printer, wherein the image storage further has an output circuit for transmitting an output signal to the printer in response to the control signal from the television set, the output signal being an image signal to be printed or a control signal for the printer function.

This application is a Division of application Ser. No. 09/575,824 May22, 2000. The entire disclosure of the prior application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a television set connectable to anexternal device, and more particularly to a system including an imagestorage and a television set, or to an image storage connectable to atelevision set, or to a television set to be connected to an externaldevice such as an image storage.

2. Description of Related Art

In this field of art, various types of external devises for storingimage have been proposed to be connected to a television set for thepurpose of watching the image on the television set.

For example, an image storage for storing still images is proposed to beconnected to a television set. Such a still image storage, however, iscontrolled by itself independently from the television set. In otherwords, the television set has to be changed from ordinary mode ofwatching a broadcast program to a mode of introducing outside imagesignal. The still image storage on the other hand has to be turned on,and the selection or the advancement of the image has to be controlledon the still image storage side. Thus, there has been an inconveniencethat the still image cannot be watched on the television set as if it isone of ordinary broadcast programs. The still image storage may befurther connected to a printer for getting a hard copy of the stillimage in the prior art. However, the printer has been controlled by thestill image storage.

On the other hand, it has been proposed that an external deviceconnected to the television set is controlled by means of selectingamong menu displayed on the monitor of the television set. However,there has been inconveniences still left, and combination the televisionset and the external device cannot function as if it is an integrateddevice.

Various attempts in this field of art are disclosed in the related arts,such as Japanese Laid Open Applications, 62-21379, 9-120666 and9-121313.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the problems and disadvantages, the inventionprovides a system including an image storage for storing digital stillimage data and a television set for selectively watching a broadcastprogram or a still image on the basis of the digital still image datatransmitted from the image storage. The image storage in the system isto be connected to the television set and comprises an input circuit forreceiving a control signal form the television set and an output circuitfor transmitting a still image signal to the television set on the basisof the digital still image data. The television set in the system, onthe other hand, comprises an output circuit for transmitting the controlsignal to the image storage. Thus, the image storage is controlled bythe television set for the purpose of watching the digital still imageon the television set in the similar manner to the case of ordinarybroadcast program.

The invention further provides a television set to be connected to anexternal device for receiving an image therefrom, comprising a mainswitch and an output circuit for transmitting a control signal to turnon or off the external device when the main switch is turned on or off,respectively. In this cooperation, the external device is automaticallyready to function when the television set is turned on for instantlyresponding to a demand of user who may want to watch the image from theexternal device. The external device is also automatically turned offwith the television set for avoiding meaningless power consumption.

The invention still further provides a television set to be connected toan external device, comprising a mode selector for selecting between afirst mode for watching a broadcast program and a second mode forwatching an image received from the external device and an outputcircuit for transmitting a control signal to make the external deviceoperative or inoperative when the mode selector selects the second modeor the first mode, respectively. This is advantageous for the externaldevice to save power consumption with the television set in the firstmode.

The invention also provides a television set comprising a televisioncircuit including a tuner for receiving a broadcast program, a monitorfor selectively displaying a single image and a set of a plurality ofdivided images, a mode selector for selecting between a first mode forwatching the single image on the monitor and a second mode for watchingthe set of images on the monitor, and a remote controller forcontrolling the television circuit in the first mode and also forselecting one of the plurality of divided images in the second mode.This makes it possible for the remote controller to be commonly used incontrolling ordinary television function and in selecting one of theplurality of images.

According to another feature of the invention, an image storageconnectable to a television set and to an external device is proposed tocomprise an input circuit for receiving a control signal form thetelevision set and an output circuit for transmitting an output signalto the external device in response to the control signal received by theinput circuit. More specifically, the external device is a printer,wherein the output circuit is designed to transmit the output signal tothe printer, the output signal being an image signal to be printed or acontrol signal to control the printer, for example. Thus, the externaldevice such as a printer, which is connected to the image storage, iscontrollable by the television set.

Other features and advantages according to the invention will be readilyunderstood from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the system of First Embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of FirstEmbodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image storage.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a docking station.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a digital camera.

FIG. 6 is the first flowchart illustrating the operation of the imagestorage.

FIG. 7 is the second flowchart illustrating the operation of the imagestorage.

FIG. 8 is the first flowchart illustrating the manner of controllingsignal transmission.

FIG. 9 is the second flowchart illustrating the manner of controllingsignal transmission.

FIG. 10 is the third flowchart illustrating the manner of controllingsignal transmission.

FIG. 11 shows an example of folder made in the memory of the imagestorage.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating disconnection interruption.

FIG. 13 is the first flowchart illustrating the manner of controllingsignal transmission that is different from FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

FIG. 14 is the second flowchart illustrating the manner of controllingsignal transmission that is different from FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

FIG. 15 is the second flowchart illustrating the manner of controllingsignal transmission that is different from FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

FIG. 16 shows a remote controller used in First Embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of a main body.

FIG. 18 is a basic flowchart showing operation in the album mode ofFirst Embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing image acquisition interruption of FirstEmbodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing detailed operation in the album mode ofFirst Embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of advancing the image ofFirst Embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an example of display on the monitor that illustrates theoperation of changing the hierarchy of First Embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of hierarchy change.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the selection in the operation ofhierarchy change.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of my-album mode.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of retrieval.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of printing.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation of termination of the albummode of First Embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the system Second Embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of SecondEmbodiment.

FIG. 31 shows the remote controller used in Second Embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the operation of mode selectionprocessing in Second Embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an example of display on the monitor of Second Embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the operation of the album mode of SecondEmbodiment.

FIG. 35 is an example of schedule display on the monitor on informationon all folders in Second Embodiment.

FIG. 36 is an example of thumbnail images displayed on the monitor ofSecond Embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search conditionsetting process of Second Embodiment.

FIG. 38 is an example of the search condition setting menu displayed onthe monitor of Second Embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of searching the titleof the album of Second Embodiment.

FIG. 40 is an example of the page of the list of album titles displayedon the monitor of Second Embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the operation of saving and entering thesearch conditions of Second Embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the operation of entering the searchcondition option item of Second Embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the operation of print mode process ofSecond Embodiment.

FIG. 44 is the print mode process menu displayed on the monitor ofSecond Embodiment.

FIG. 45 is the print condition menu displayed on the monitor of SecondEmbodiment.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing the operation of television mode processof Second Embodiment.

FIG. 47 is an example of the display of a print output of SecondEmbodiment.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the system design of Third Embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram of system configuration of ThirdEmbodiment.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the system of Fourth Embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printer of FifthEmbodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

(1) System Design

The perspective view and the schematic diagram of the system design forFirst Embodiment are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

According to the television set in First Embodiment, a monitor 2consisting of the plasma display panel, for example, is separated from amain body 1. The main body 1 is connected to the monitor 2 by a cable 1a for transmitting the audio and image signal from the former to thelatter. The main body 1 is operated by means of a remote controller 3.The main body 1 and the monitor 2 are provided with the common powersource by way of cables 1 b and 2 a, respectively.

An image storage 4 is connected to the main body 1 through a cable 4 afor transmitting control signal from the main body 1 to the imagestorage 4, and further through a cable 4 b for transmitting the audioand image signal from the image storage 4 to the main body 1 at AV inputthereof. The image storage 4 includes a large capacity memory such as ahard disc for storing large number of digital image date with theiridentification data. The image storage is provided with the common powersource by way of a cable 4 c, and further connected to a printer 9through a cable.

The remote controller 3 for usually controlling the ordinary televisionwatching function in the television mode is switched into an album modewhen a later mentioned album mode button is pressed. In the album mode,the main body 1 responsive to the operation of the remote controller 3controls the image storage 4 to transmit image signal ordered by theremote controller 3 for the display of the image on the monitor 2.

A docking station 5 has a mounting portion for a digital still camera(hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) 6. The mounting portion isprovided with a power supply connector 5 f and a signal connector 5 d,which are automatically made in contact with corresponding connectors ofthe digital camera 6 when it is mounted on the mounting portion of thedocking station S. The docking station 5 includes an AC adapter 5 e,which is fed with the common power source through a cable 5 a and has anoutput connected to power connector 5 f. An IEEE 1394 connector 5 c ofthe docking station 5 is directly connected to the image storage 4.Thus, the docking station 5 is of a simple design consisting of themounting portion for the digital camera, the signal connector 5 d, theIEEE 1394 connector 5 c, power connector 5 f, and the AC adapter 5 e,and is dedicated to the digital camera 6 of a specific type. On thecontrary, the image storage 4 is of a common use type interchangeablyconnected to any docking station dedicated to one of various types ofdigital cameras by means of standardizing the shape of the connector fora cable 5 b.

In operation, in automatic response to the mounting of the digitalcamera 6 on the docking station 5, the data transmission is initiallytriggered to automatically transmit the entire digital image signal inthe digital camera to the image storage 4 through the cable 4 b. If thecompletion of the automatic transmission without error is confirmed, allcontents of memory in the digital camera is automatically deleted, whenthe LED 5 k is energized to inform the emptiness of the memory. On thecompletion of the data transmission, the power charging is automaticallytriggered, and automatically terminated on its completion, when the LED5 m is energized to inform the completion of the power charging. If auser merely mounts the digital camera 6 on the docking station 5 andlets it be, accordingly, the data transmission and the power chargingwill be completed to prepare for instant use of the digital camera 6when it will be get back from the docking station 5. On getting back thedigital camera 6, LED's 5 k and 5 m should be confirmed. If the powerwill be found to be naturally discharged while the digital camera 6 isleft on the docking station 5, the power is automatically recharged,which will be repeated.

FIG. 2 represents schematic diagram of the system design for FirstEmbodiment, in which the cable 1 a connects an AV connector 1 c of themain body 1 to an AV connector 2 b of the monitor 2. In the ordinarytelevision mode, the main body 1 transmits signal generated from a TVcircuit 1 d including tuner to the AV connector 1 c by way of an AVoutput controller 1 e. A receiver 1 f receives infrared signal from anemitter 3 a of the remote controller 3 to transmit the receivedinformation to a CPU 1 h through a decoder 1 g. In the television mode,the necessary change in channel or volume is carried out by the TVcircuit 1 d in response to the operation at the remote controller 3.

When the CPU 1 h detects a mode change from the television mode to thealbum mode in response to a signal form decoder 1 g caused by a modechanging operation at the remote controller 3, the AV output controller1 e is made to transmit a signal from an AV connector 1 i to the AVconnector 1 c in place of the signal from the TV circuit 1 d. Further,in the album mode, the CPU responsive to the signal of the decoder 1 gtransmits control signal from an IEEE 1394 connector 1 j to an IEEE 1394connector 4 d of the image storage 4 through the cable 4 a designedaccording to the IEEE 1394 standard. Thus, the control of the imagestorage 4 by means of the remote controller 3 for the television set ismade possible. For example, if the next still image is requested at theremote controller 3, the request is transmitted through the receiver 1f, the decoder 1 g, the TV circuit 1 h, the IEEE 1394 connector 1 j andthe cable 4 a to the IEEE 1394 connector 4 d of the image storage 4.Then, a CPU 4 e connected to the IEEE 1394 connector 4 d identifies therequest to read out the next image from a memory 4 f such as a harddisc. The read image is transmitted through an NTSC (National TelevisionSystem Committee) encoder 4 g, an AV connector 4 h and the cable 4 b tothe AV connector 1 i.

Cable 5 e designed according to the IEEE 1394 standard is connectedbetween an IEEE 1394 connector 4 i of the image storage 4 and the IEEE1394 connector 5 c of the docking station 5. Within the docking station5, the IEEE 1394 connector 5 c directly leads to the signal connector 5d, which is of a specific mechanical shape dedicated to the digitalcamera 6 although electrically designed under the IEEE 1394 standard.The output of the AC adapter 5 e fed with the common power source isconnected to the power supply connector 5 f. The signal connector 5 dand the power supply connector 5 f are formed as a single connectorunit, while a signal connector 6 a and a power supply connector 6 c ofthe digital camera 6 are correspondingly formed as a single connectorunit. When the digital camera 6 is mounted on the docking station 5,accordingly, the signal connector 6 a of the digital camera 6 is made incontact with the signal connector 5 d of the docking station 5, whilethe power supply connector 6 c connected to a rechargeable battery 6 bof the digital camera 6 is made in contact with the power supplyconnector 5 f of the docking station 5. Thus, the image signal of thedigital camera 6 is transmitted to the TV circuit 4 e of the imagestorage 4 by way of the signal connector 6 a, the signal connector 5 d,the IEEE 1394 connector 5 c, the cable 5 b and the IEEE 1394 connector 4i, and the rechargeable battery 6 b is charged by the AC adapter 5 e.

In the television set in First Embodiment, the monitor 2 is separatedfrom the main body 1. According to the present invention, however, sucha modification is possible that the main body 1 and the monitor 2 arecombined within a single housing as in an ordinary television set.

Further, in the television set in First Embodiment, the image storage 4transmits the AV signal formed by the NTSC encoder 4 g to the main body1 at the AV connector. According to the present invention, however, sucha modification is possible that the digital image signal without theencoding is received by the main body 1 at the IEEE 1394 connector 1 j,the digital image signal being encoded into AV signal by the TV circuit1 d within the main body 1.

Such a modification is also possible that the signal from the imagestorage 4 is directly transmitted to the monitor 2 at its AV connector,instead of transmitting the signal by way of the main body 1.

According to the present invention, the monitor 2 has an IEEE 1394interface and the IEEE 1394 connector (not shown). To such a monitor,the digital image signal may be transmitted to monitor 2 at the IEEE1394 connector.

(2) Designs of Parts and Functions

The description will be advanced to individual designs for the parts,such as the image storage, the docking station and the digital camera inthe system of the present invention, and to the functions thereof.

FIG. 3 represents a block diagram showing the design of the imagestorage 4 of First Embodiment. The following devices form the imagestorage 4 of First Embodiment according to the present invention. TheCPU 4 e controls devices in the image storage 4 and carries out thefunctions in the later explained flow charts in FIGS. 6 to 8 incooperation with a CPU 6 h of the digital camera 6. The CPU 4 e has ROMfor storing data such as image data. A card slot 4 s is for readingimage or audio signal from the card memories, such as COMPACT FLASH,SMART MEDIA and MEMORY STICK, which are the names of products from SanDisc of the United States, Toshiba of Japan and Sony of Japan,respectively. A card driver 4 p is for driving the card slot 4 s inresponse to the direction of the CPU 4 e. The memory 4 f is ofnon-volatility and large capacity, such as a hard disc, which alsostores the program to be carried by the CPU 4 e.

Alternatively, the memory 4 f of built-in type in the embodiment abovemay be replaced by a removable type such as a DVD.

A memory driver 4 n is for driving the memory 4 f in response to thedirection of the CPU 4 e.

An MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) decoder 4 k is for expanding themotion picture data compressed in accordance with MPEG system forplaying the motion picture. A JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group)decoder 4 t is for expanding the still image data compressed inaccordance with JPEG system for playing the still image. A frame memory4 m is a non-volatile semiconductor memory for temporally storing theimage or audio signal. The frame memory 4 m is used in transmitting theimage or audio signal from the digital camera 6, and also in outputtingthe image data to the main body 1 of the television set or to theprinter 9. A switch circuit 4 q is for detecting the operation ofswitches provided in the image storage 4 to inform the CPU 4 e of it.Power circuit 4 r is connected to the common power source (not shown)for providing each device in the image storage 4 with the electricpower.

An IEEE 1394 interface 4 j is for communicating control signals andimage audio signals with various IEEE 1394 interfaces located in themain body 1 of the television set, the digital camera 6 (the dockingstation 5) and the printer 9, and for receiving a signal from the remotecontroller 3 of the television set to inform the CPU 4 e of it. The IEEE1394 connectors 4 i and 4 d is for the connection with cables whichconnect to various IEEE 1394 interfaces located in the main body 1 ofthe television set, the digital camera 6 (the docking station 5) and theprinter 9. The NTSC encoder 4 g is for converting the digital imagesignal into the television signal of NTSC system, on which thetelevision set without the IEEE 1394 interface is able to play theimage. The connector 4 h outputs the television signal encoded by TheNTSC encoder 4.

FIG. 4 represents a block diagram showing the design of the dockingstation 5 of First Embodiment. The docking station 5 of First Embodimentis described with help of FIG. 4. The AC adapter 5 e connected withcommercial power source, which is not shown in the figure, is a powersource in order to supply the digital camera 6 mounted on the dockingstation 5 with electric power, and is also used for charging therechargeable battery 6 b of the digital camera 6.

A DSC connector 5 j is a kind of connector connected with a DSCconnector 6 n arranged in the digital camera 6 and corresponds to thesignal connector 5 d and the power supply connector 5 f shown in FIG. 2.The DSC connector 5 j is electrically connected with the AC adapter 5 eand the IEEE 1394 connector 5 c. Signal transmission and power supply tothe digital camera 6 are made through the DSC connector 5 j. The signalconnector 5 d is a terminal for giving and receiving a signal inconformity with the IEEE 1394 standard. The DSC connector 5 j has aspecific mechanical shape dedicated to the digital camera 6 and also hasa terminal electrically connected with an AV connector 5 g, which wasnot mentioned in FIG. 2.

The AV connector 5 g is for outputting the TV signal encoded with theNTSC standard by the digital camera 6. Although no explanation has beenmade in the First Embodiment, by means of connecting the AV connector 5c with an AV connector of another instrument, a TV signal encoded in thedigital camera 6 can be watched by the instrument having no IEEE 1394interface.

The IEEE 1394 connector 5 c is a connector connected with the cable 5 b,which is connected with IEEE 1394 interfaces equipped in the imagestorage 4. In explanation of the First Embodiment, only the case thatthe IEEE 1394 connector 5 c is connected with the IEEE 1394 connector 4i of the image storage 4 is mentioned. However, when the main body 1 orthe printer 9 can handle image or audio signal stored in the digitalcamera 6, the image or audio files can be replayed or printed withouthelp of the image storage 4 by means of connecting the IEEE 1394connector 5 c with the IEEE 1394 interface equipped in the main body 1or the printer 9.

An LED 5 i has an LED 5 k for memory and an LED 5 m for recharging. TheLED 5 i indicates the state of a card memory stored in the digitalcamera 6 and the state of the rechargeable battery by its lightingcondition. An LED driver 5 h controls lighting of the LED 5 i inaccordance with a command from the CPU 6 h of the digital camera 6 orthe CPU 4 e of the image storage 4.

FIG. 5 represents a block diagram showing the design of the digitalcamera 6. The digital camera 6 of the First Embodiment is described withhelp of the FIG. 5. Although, we omitted the explanation of picturetaking and image processing, it is needless to say that the systemincludes photographic lens, image detector, image processing circuit,and the like. The CPU 6 h controls each device in the digital camera 6and performs the procedure shown in FIG. 26 mentioned later incooperation with the CPU 4 e of the image storage 4.

A switch circuit 6 f detects whether a release button 6 r or a commanddial 6 s equipped in the digital camera 6 is handled or not, andtransmits it to the CPU 6 h.

An IEEE 1394 interface 6 e is the device for giving and receivingcontrol signal, image or audio signal through the IEEE 1394 interfacestored in the main body 1, the image storage 4, or the printer 9.

An IEEE 1394 connector 6 d is a kind of connector for giving andreceiving signal with other instruments having the IEEE 1394 interfaceand is used for giving and receiving signal with the image storage 4without help of the docking station 5, not mentioned in the FirstEmbodiment. When the main body 1 or the printer 9 can handle image oraudio signal in the digital camera 6, the image or audio file scan bereplayed or printed without help of the image storage 4 by means ofconnecting with the IEEE 1394 interface equipped in the main body 1 orthe printer 9.

An AV connector 6 m is a connector through which converted NTSCtelevision signals are output outside. By connecting the AV connector 6m to another AV connector, television signals, which are converted inthe digital camera 6, are observable even on devices without the IEEEinterface.

The DSC connector 6 n, through which power and signals are transferred,is connected to the DSC connector 5 j. The DSC connector 6 n includesthe signal connectors, the power supply connectors, and AV terminals, aswell as the DSC connector 5 j. Through the signal connectors, signalsdesigned according to the IEEE standard are transferred. The DSCconnector 6 n has a structure only for connecting to the docking station5.

The rechargeable battery 6 b, which supplies power to each device of thedigital camera 6, is recharged through the AC adapter 5 e of the dockingstation 5. A card slot 6 i records image signals and audio signals ontothe card memory (e.g., Compact Flash, Smart Media, Memory Stick) whichis mounted to the card slot 6 i, and reads out image signals and audiosignals from the card memory.

A card driver 6 j drives the card slot 6 i under instruction from CPU 6h. The image storage 4 and the digital camera 6 can be powered on undersignal input from outside, in the case that imaging storing device 4 isnot powered.

(a) Recharging an Taking in Images Flow

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are flowcharts illustrating programs executed by theCPU 4 e of the image storage 4. Referring to FIG. 6, program starts whenthe image storage 4 detects that the digital camera 6 is connected tothe docking station 5. The image storage 4 can always communicate withthe docking station 5 through the IEEE 1394 connector 4 i, the cable 5b, and the IEEE 1394 connector 5 c, because the image storage 4 isalways in the state of standing by, passing low current between thedocking station 5 and the image storage 4. Therefore, when the digitalcamera 6 is connected to the docking station 5, The image storage 4 candetect the connection between camera 6 and the docking station 5.

Alternatively, the above mentioned detection through the connectionbetween camera 6 and the docking station 5 may be replaced by adetection by means of a combination of a mechanical contact and asensor.

In step S151, function necessary to receive image signals and audiosignals from the digital camera 6 is activated. More specifically, themain power is turned on, the memory 4 f which records image signals andaudio signals is driven, and a receiving program is activated.

In step S152, the AC adapter 5 e of the docking station 5 is operatedthrough the cable 5 a, power is supplied to the digital camera 6, andthe main power source of the digital camera 6 is switched on. In thecase that the main power source of the digital camera 6 is alreadyswitched on, the main power source continues to be on.

The above embodiment may be modified to an alternative embodiment inwhich the CPU 4 e does not transmit the signal to the digital camera 6for turning on the same if the camera 6 has already be turned on.

In step S153, it is detected whether the digital camera 6 has imagefiles or audio files that are reproducible by the image storage 4. Ifthe digital camera 6 has them, program proceeds to step S154. If thedigital camera 6 does not have them, program proceeds to step S161 inFIG. 7. The image storage 4 is already set so that JPEG file, MPEG file,GIF file, bitmap file, and WAVE file can be reproduced. Although somedigital camera has a proprietary format image, such proprietary image isreproduced only by dedicated software. Furthermore, card memoriesmounted to the digital camera 6 may be used for other devices,therefore, other files except for image files or audio files, e.g.,document files, may be mounted to the digital camera 6. However, theimage storage 4 is designed so that the image storage 4 does not receivefiles which can not be reproduced by the image storage 4.

By installing a dedicated software in the image storage 4, however, thefiles that were not handleable with the image storage 4 becomehandleable with the device. The files that have thus become handleablethrough the installation of the software will now be automaticallyreceived by the device upon the installation.

If, provided the card memory is loadable to the digital-camera 6, thecamera is not loaded with a card the memory, it is naturally interpretedthat no file exists. If the camera is not loaded with a card the memory,the digital camera 6 is controlled so that the LCD 6 q of thedigital-camera 6 presents an alarm display that reports to a user thatno card-memory exists. Further, if there exists an unhandleable file,the digital camera 6 is controlled so that the LCD 6 q of thedigital-camera 6 presents an alarm display that reports to a user thatthere exists an unhandleable file.

At the step S154, a folder to which a name, e.g., date, is attached, iscreated in a common folder in the memory 4 f. The folder is named, e.g.,“990401-990402” so that it specifies the initial and last date when theimage or audio signal was recorded. The date information is taken fromthe date information recorded in the header of the image or audio file.The common folder is a folder which is pre-created in the memory 4 f andto which files are transferred from the digital camera 6. The filesnamed “Family”, “Father”, “Mother”, and “Taro” are also pre-created in acommon folder of the image storage 4.

At the step S155, by blinking the memory indicator LED 5 k in thedocking station 5, a user is informed that a file is being transferred.

At the step S156, the image or audio files from the digital camera 6 arereceived in photographing or sound recording order, and stored in the“990401-990402” folder in the memory 4 f. Referring to FIG. 8, the wayto control signal detection at this step is described in detail below.

At the step S157, such a display as shown in FIG. 11 is presented withthe LCD 6 q of the digital camera 6, and a users is asked in what folderthe file is to be stored. The display presents choosable folders presentin the common folder. By revolving the command dial 6 s, a folder ischosen, and, by pressing the release button 6 r, the folder chosen isindicated.

At the step S158, whether or not a folder has been chosen is detected.If detected, then the step 160 is followed; if not detected, the step159 is followed.

At the step S159, whether or not a pre-determined time has passed fromthe beginning of the inquiry into what folder is to be chosen isdetected. If the pre-determined time has passed, the step 161 isfollowed; if not, the step 157 is recommenced and the inquiry into whatfolder is to be chosen is resumed.

At the step S160, the folder “990401-990402” in the common folder is,wholly and without change of its folder structure, transferred to thedesignated (chosen) folder.

At the step S161, whether or not the card memory loaded in the digitalcamera 6 is written is detected. If unwritten, the step S162 isfollowed; if written, the step S163 is followed.

At the step S162, by lighting the memory indicator LED 5 k in thedocking station 5, a user is informed that the card memory loaded in thedigital camera 6 is unwritten.

At the step S163, by lighting out the memory indicator LED 5 k in thedocking station 5, a user is informed that the card memory loaded in thedigital camera 6 is written.

At the step S164, the main power supply with the digital camera 6 isswitched off. Even when the main power supply with the digital camera 6had been switched on at the point of connection, the main power supplyof the digital camera 6 is switched off at this step.

At the step S165, whether or not the rechargeable battery 6 b is loadedin the digital camera 6 is detected. If loaded, the step 166 isfollowed; if the loaded thing is not the rechargeable battery 6 b or therechargeable battery 6 b is not loaded, the step 170 is followed.

In step S166, the charging to the rechargeable battery 6 b of thedigital camera 6 is started. In step S167, charging the indication LED(light emitting diode) 5 m is intermittently energized to inform theuser of the status of the rechargeable battery 6 b in the process ofcharging.

In step S168, it is checked whether the charging is completed or not. Ifthe completion of charging is detected, the flow is advanced to stepS169. On the other hand, the flow returns to step S166 to continue thecharging. In step S169, charging the indication LED 5 m is continuouslyenergized to inform the user of the completion of the charging to therechargeable battery 6 b. In step S170, the power supply to the dockingstation 5 is terminated. In step S171, the main power switch of theimage storage 4 is turned off to close the present flow.

(b) Transmission of Signals

FIGS. 8 to 10 explain the manner of controlling signal transmission instep S156 in FIG. 6.

In step S101, disconnection interruption is enabled, the interruptionbeing carried out when the digital camera 6 will be disconnected fromthe docking station 5. In step S102, it is checked whether or not thedigital camera 6 directs to stop the data transmission, the directionbeing caused by operating the release button of the digital camera 6. Ifthe date transmission is directed to stop, the flow goes to step S110 inFIG. 9. On the other hand, the flow is advanced to step S103 if the datetransmission is not directed to stop.

In step S103, the digital camera 6 is checked for a folder(hierarchical) structure that holds files not transmitted yet. If filesnot transmitted yet are held in a folder structure, the flow is advancedto step S104. On the other hand, the flow is advanced to step S106 iffiles not transmitted yet are held without any folder structure.

In step S104, it is checked whether the folder structure has alreadyexisted in the image storage 4. If the folder structure has existed, theflow is advanced to step S106. On the other hand, the flow is advancedto step S105 if the folder structure has not existed yet.

In step S105, anew folder is further created within the folder“990401-990402” which has been created in step S154 in FIG. 6. In stepS106, the digital camera 6 is directed to transmit new files, which arereceived and stored in the folder created in steps S154 and 105.

Thus, the folder structure holding files in the digital camera 6 will betook over by the image storage 4 without destruction of the originalfolder structure, which is convenient for the user to search for thestored files.

Further, in step S106, the digital camera 6 is directed to inform theuser of the status in the process of data transmission by means of LCD 6q of the digital camera 6.

In step S107, it is checked whether the data transmission from thedigital camera 6 to the image storage 4 is completed or not. If thecompletion of data transmission is detected, the flow is advanced tostep S108. On the other hand, the flow returns to step S106 to continuethe data transmission if the completion of data transmission is notdetected.

In step S108, the digital camera 6 is directed to add to the header ofthe transmitted file therein the information indicating that thetransmission of the file has been completed. In steps S121 and S122 inFIG. 10, the file will be deleted from the digital camera 6 independence on the added information. The flow is to be advanced fromstep S108 to step S109.

In step S109, it is checked whether files capable to be treated by theimage storage 4 still remain to be transmitted in the digital camera 6.If files remain to be transmitted, the flow is returned to step S102. Onthe other hand, the flow is advanced to step S116 if no file remains tobe transmitted.

If the direction to stop the data transmission is detected in the abovementioned step S102, a question at LCD 6 q of the digital camera 6 as inFIG. 11 is made in step S110 to ask the user whether or not thetransmission of all the files including already transmitted files shouldbe cancelled.

Step S111 checks the answer of the user to the question in step S110 for“No”. If the answer, “No” is detected, the flow goes to step S116. Onthe other hand, the flow is advanced to step S112 if the answer, “No” isnot detected. The answer, “No” of the user means that the alreadytransmitted files should not be cancelled.

Step S112 checks the answer of the user to the question in step S110 for“Yes”. If the answer, “Yes” is detected, the flow goes to step S114. Onthe other hand, the flow is advanced to step S113 if the answer, “Yes”is not detected. The answer, “Yes” of the user means that the usermounts the digital camera 6 on the docking station 5 for the purpose ofonly charging the camera without data transmission. For answering thequestion, the use is to select “Yes” or “No” by rotating the commanddial 6 s and press release button 6 r to enter the selected answer.

In step S114, the files and folder transmitted this time, and also thefolder, “990401-990402” created this time are all deleted from thememory 4 f of the image storage 4.

In step S115, the digital camera 6 is directed to cancel the informationwhich has been add to the header of the transmitted file to indicatethat the transmission of the file has been completed.

In step S113, it is checked whether a predetermined time has passed ornot after the direction to stop the data transmission. If the time hasnot passed yet, the flow is returned to step S110 to wait for theanswer. If the time has passed, on the other hand, the flow is advancedto step S114 on the assumption that the direction to stop the datatransmission at step S102 was made because user mounts digital camera 6on the docking station 5 for the purpose of only charging the camerawithout data transmission.

In step S116, it is checked whether a protected file is transmitted ornot. If a protected file is transmitted, the flow is advanced to stepS117, while the flow is advanced to step S122 if a protected file is nottransmitted. The digital camera 6 has a “protection” function of filemanagement for preventing a protected file from being deleted out of thememory card in error. Ordinarily, a protected file cannot be deletedunless the protection function is cancelled.

In step S117, a question is indicated at LCD 6 q as in FIG. 11 to askwhether the protected file is to be deleted. Step S118 checks the answerof the user to the question in step S117 for “No”. If the answer, “No”is detected, the flow goes to step S122. On the other hand, the flow isadvanced to step S119 if the answer, “No” is not detected.

Step S119 checks the answer of the user to the question in step S117 for“Yes”. If the answer, “Yes” is detected, the flow goes to step S121. Onthe other hand, the flow is advanced to step S120 if the answer, “Yes”is not detected.

In step S120, it is checked whether a predetermined time has passed ornot after the question is started to be indicated at LCD 6 q to askwhether the protected file is to be deleted. If the time has not passedyet, the flow is returned to step S117 to wait for the answer. If thetime has passed, on the other hand, the flow is advanced to step S121.In this design, a protected file in the digital camera 6 which has beensuccessfully transmitted to the image storage 4 is to be deleted unlessan answer is especially made to the contrary, for always making use ofthe maximum capacity of the memory card in the digital camera 6.

In step S121, all the already transmitted files are deleted from thedigital camera 6 in response to the information add in step S108 to theheader of the transmitted file. In step S122, files that have beenalready transmitted and are not protected are deleted from the digitalcamera 6 in response to the information add in step S108 to the headerof the transmitted file and also to the protection information. In stepS123, the disconnection interruption is disabled to close the presentflow.

(c) Disconnection During Data Transmission

FIG. 12 explains the disconnection interruption. This flow starts inresponse to disconnecting the digital camera 6 from the docking station5 with the disconnection interruption enabled.

In step S181, warning of disconnection without completing the datatransmission is made at the display on the digital camera 6 forrecommending the user to mount the camera again. Step S182 checkswhether such a file exists in the memory 4 f that the transmissionthereof is unfinished by reason of the disconnection in the course ofthe data transmission. If such a file exists, the flow is advanced tostep S183, while the flow goes to step S184 if such a file does notexist.

In step S183, the file in the memory 4 f that the transmission thereofis unfinished is removed. Step S184 checks whether the digital camera 6is mounted again on the docking station 5 for the connection. If theconnection is detected, the flow is advanced to step S187, while theflow goes to step S185 if the connection is not detected.

Step S187 checks whether the digital camera mounted again is the samedigital camera 6 or not. In the case of the same digital camera 6, theflow is advanced to step S109 in FIG. 8, while the flow goes to stepS152 in FIG. 6 in the case of a different digital camera.

In step S185, it is checked whether a predetermined time has passed ornot after the disconnection. If the time has passed, the flow isadvanced to step S186, while the flow returns to step S184 if the timehas not passed yet. In step S186, the main power switch of the imagestorage 4 is turned off to close the present flow.

In the above mentioned First Embodiment, all the correctly transmittedfiles are deleted from the digital camera 6 at once after completing thetransmission of all of them. However, such a modification is possiblethat each file is deleted after completing the transmission of it one byone. Further, the file is actually deleted from the digital camera inFirst Embodiment. However, it is possible to merely add information ofpermitting the deletion to the header of the file to be deleted in placeof actually deleting the file, in the case of a digital camera capableof overwriting a new file on the file to be deleted.

Such a modification is further possible that the main body 1 oftelevision set is designed to be capable of detecting the mounting ofthe digital camera 6, in place of the detection by the image storage 4in First Embodiment.

The functions of flow charts, which is carried out by the CPU 4 e in theimage storage 4 according to the above mentioned embodiment, can bealternatively carried out by the CPU 1 h in the main body 1 of thetelevision set.

(d) Modification of the Function on Disconnection During DataTransmission

The CPU 6 h in the digital camera 6 can alternatively carry out thefunctions of flow chart shown in FIG. 8 on the disconnection during datatransmission. FIG. 13 explains this modification in which the CPU 6 h inthe digital camera 6 carries out the functions.

In step S501, the disconnection interruption is enabled, theinterruption being carried out when the digital camera 6 will bedisconnected from the docking station 5. The disconnection interruptioncan be understood in accordance with FIG. 12.

In step S502, it is checked whether or not the digital camera 6 directsto stop the data transmission, the direction being caused by operatingthe release button of the digital camera 6. If the date transmission isdirected to stop, the flow goes to step S510. On the other hand, theflow is advanced to step S503 if the date transmission is not directedto stop.

In the step S503, it is checked whether the structure of the folder inwhich such a file is stored that the transmission thereof is unfinishedhas hierarchical structure or not. If the folder has hierarchicalstructure, the flow is advanced to the step S504, otherwise the flow isadvanced to the step S506.

In the step S504, it is checked whether the folder found in the stepS503 has already existed in the image storage 4 or not. If the folderhas existed, the flow is advanced to the step S506, otherwise the flowis advanced to the step S505.

In the step S505, an order is given to the image storage 4 that a newfolder is to be made inside of the folder “990401-990402” made in thestep S154 shown in the FIG. 6, which exists in the memory 4 f of theimage storage 4.

In the step S506, it is ordered that the file that the transmissionthereof is unfinished is transmitted to the image storage 4, and isstored in the folder made in the steps S154 and S505. Therefore, whenthe file is stored in the hierarchical folder of the digital camera 6,it is convenient to rearrange the file because the recording onto theimage storage 4 does not affect the structure of the folder. Further, inthe step S506, the digital camera 6 is directed to inform the user ofthe status in the process of data transmission by means of LCD 6 q ofthe digital camera 6.

In the step S507, it is checked whether the transmission of the file tothe image storage 4 has been completed or not. If the transmission hasbeen completed, the flow is advanced to the step S508, otherwise theflow is advanced to the step S506 for continuing the transmission. Whenthe transmission has been completed, it is devised such that the imagestorage 4 transmits the completion signal to the digital camera 6.

In the step S508, the information indicating the completion of thetransmission is added to the header portion of the file inside of thedigital camera 6. In the steps S521 or S522 shown in the FIG. 15, thefile is deleted in accordance with the added information. Then, the flowis advanced to the step S509.

In the step S509, it is checked whether a transmission-unfinished filebeing able to be handled by the image storage 4 is still existed in thedigital camera 6 or not. If a transmission-unfinished file is existed,the flow is returned to the step S502, otherwise the flow is advanced tothe step S516.

In the step S510, a query whether all the transmission of filesincluding transmission-completed files should be cancelled is providedfor the user on the LCD 6 q of the digital camera 6 shown in FIG. 11.

In the step S511, it is checked whether “no” is detected as the answerof the query provided in the step S510. If “no” is detected, the flow isadvanced to the step S516, otherwise the flow is advanced to the stepS512. In the case “no files should be left as it is.

In the step S512, it is checked whether “yes” is detected as the answerof the query provided in the step S510. If “yes” is detected, the flowis advanced to the step S514, otherwise is advanced to the step S513. Inthe case “yes” is detected, it is understood that the digital camera 6is mounted on the docking station 5 in order to recharge battery.

In the step S514, it is ordered that the file and the folder transmittedthis time, together with the folder “990401-990402” should be deletedfrom the memory 4 f of the image storage 4.

In the step S515, the information indicating the completion of thetransmission added to the header portion of the file inside of thedigital camera 6 is lifted.

In the step S513, it is checked whether a predetermined time has passedor not after the direction to stop the data transmission. If the timehas not passed yet, the flow is returned to the step S510 to wait forthe answer. If the time has passed, on the other hand, the flow isadvanced to the step S514 on the assumption that the direction to stopthe data transmission at the step S502 was made because user mounts thedigital camera 6 on the docking station 5 only for recharging the camerawithout data transmission.

In the step S516, it is checked whether a protected file is transmittedor not. If a protected file is transmitted, the flow is advanced to thestep S517, while the flow is advanced to the step S522 if a protectedfile is not transmitted. The digital camera 6 has a “protection”function of file management for preventing a protected file from beingdeleted out of the memory card in error. Ordinarily, a protected filecannot be deleted unless the protection function is cancelled.

In the step S517, a question is indicated at the LCD 6 q as in FIG. 11to ask whether the protected file is to be deleted.

In the step S518, it is checked whether the answer of the question inthe step S517 is “Yes”. If the answer “Yes” is detected, the flow isadvanced to the step S522. If the answer “Yes” is not detected, on theother hand, the flow is advanced to the step S519.

In the step S519, it is checked whether the answer of the question inthe step S517 is “No”. If the answer “No” is detected, the flow isadvanced to the step S521. If the answer “No” is not detected, on theother hand, the flow is advanced to the step S520.

In the step S520, it is checked whether a predetermined time has passedor not after the question is started to be indicated at the LCD 6 q toask whether the protected file is to be deleted. If the time has notpassed yet, the flow is returned to the step S517 to wait for theanswer. If the time has passed, on the other hand, the flow is advancedto the step S521. In this design, a protected file in the digital camera6 is not to be deleted unless an answer is especially made to thecontrary.

In the step S521, the files that have been already transmitted and arenot protected are deleted from the digital camera 6 in response to theinformation added in the step S508 to the header of the transmitted fileand also to the protection information.

In the step S522, all the already transmitted files are deleted from thedigital camera 6 in response to the information added in the step S508to the header of the transmitted file. In the step S523, thedisconnection interruption is disabled to close the present flow.

(3) Operation of the Image Storage

Operation of the image storage 4 performed by the remote controller 3 isexplained specifically. FIG. 16 illustrates the remote controller 3 indetail. When the main body 1 is on standby after receiving a very smallcurrent, the main power of the main body 1 is turned on by pressing apower source bottom 3 a of remote controller 3.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of the main body 1after main power is turned on. When the main power is turned on in stepS1, the main body 1 always starts up in the television mode in step S2.Even if the main power of the main body 1 is turned off in the lastmode, as described later, by turning on the main power again, the mainbody 1 can start up in the television mode. The television mode is amode in which the television set receives ordinary televisionbroadcasting. Step S3 enables interruption by means of mode changeoperation, which switches a mode to another mode such as the album mode.Step S4 enables interruption by means of turning off the main power. Theflow is advanced to step S5.

In step S5, the operation in the television mode is performed.Information stored in the digital camera 6 is displayed on the monitor 2for predetermined time (e.g. 5 seconds), superimposed on the currenttelevision image. The information of the digital camera 6 displayed onthe monitor 2 is as follows: for example, whether or not the digitalcamera is placed on the docking station 5; a state that digital stillimage is being transferred from the digital camera to the image storage4; or a state that the digital camera 6 is being recharged.

FIG. 18 is a basic flow chart showing operation in the album mode. Whenan album mode button 3 b of remote controller 3, shown in FIG. 16, ispressed, mode change interruption is performed in step S6 in FIG. 18. Instep S7, it is determined whether mode change is the album mode in stepS7. If mode change is the album mode, the flow is advanced to step S8.If mode change is not the album mode, the flow is advanced to a flow inanother mode.

In step S8, the operation that enables the mode change interruption isperformed. The mode change interruption is necessary for changing modefrom the album mode to another mode, In step S9, operation that enablesmain-power-off interruption is performed. The main-power-offinterruption is necessary for turning off main power.

In step S10, it is determined whether the image storage 4 is on standbyafter receiving very small current. When it is determined that the imagestorage 4 is on standby, the flow is advanced to step S11. In step S11,it is instructed that the power source of the image storage 4 is turnedon, and the image storage 4 starts up. In step 12, the operation thatenables data read out completion interruption is performed. The dataread out completion interruption is necessary for reading out data.

On the other hand, in step S10, when it is determined that the imagestorage 4 is not on standby, the flow is advanced to step S13. In stepS13, a message “Turn on the image storage 4” is indicated, and the flowis advanced to step S14. In step S14, it is determined whether printinformation is included or not. When the image storage 4 is turned on,the flow is advanced to step S15. In step S15, the message “Turn on theimage storage 4” is closed, and the flow advances to step S12.

The above embodiment may be modified to an alternative embodiment inwhich the CPU 1 h of the main body 1 transmits a control signal to theimage storage 4 for turning on the same when the main power of the mainbody 1 is turned on.

In step S16, in order to avoid the state of no sounds in the album mode,background music starts, resulting in natural feeling.

The background music number is arbitrarily selected from music numbersthat have been already selected. Instead of using the background music,it is possible to use television sound directly. It is also possible toperform the album mode in a state without sound, that is, completely inno sound state. Each of these states is arbitrarily selectable.

In step S171, it is determined whether an image is stored in the framememory 4 m or not. The image is stored in the frame memory 4 m in stepS87 in FIG. 28. If the images are stored, the flow is advanced to stepS172, if not, the flow is advanced to step S174.

In step S172, the image stored in the frame memory 4 m in step S87 inFIG. 28 is read out, and is displayed on the monitor 2. The image storedin the frame memory 4 m, which is a semiconductor memory, is read outinstantly and displayed. Accordingly, the period between the time whenmode is changed to the album mode and the time when the image isdisplayed on the monitor 2 can be made very small, so that an operatorcan view the image comfortably.

In step S173, instruction is transmitted to the memory driver 4 n, andthe memory 4 f starts, and the flow is advanced to step S18.

When it is determined that the image is not stored in the frame memory 4m, in above-mentioned step S171, a menu image of the album mode, whichis stored in ROM in advance, is read out and displayed in step S174. TheROM, which is located in the CPU 4 e in the image storage 4, is asemiconductor memory. The menu image stored in ROM can be read outinstantly and displayed.

In step S175, the memory 4 f is driven after instruction is transmittedto the memory driver 4 n. In step S176, a regenerative program for imageand sound is activated and the flow is advanced to step S17.

In step S17, the first image in the latest folder that is stored intothe image storage 4 is reproduced, and is displayed on the screen of themain body 1. That is, the image selected according to a predeterminedrule is reproduced by the image storage 4 and displayed automatically,in response to change from the current mode to the album mode.

With regard to the image selected according to the predetermined rule,in stead of using the first image in the latest folder, for example, theimage of the latest date of photograph that is captured into the imagestorage 4 may be used. Thus, the album mode is started up, and then theflow is advanced to the album mode operation in step S18.

Furthermore, in step S174, in stead of above-mentioned operation, it ispossible to continue to display in the television mode, and to change tothe album mode after reproduction of the image in step S17.

By performing the flow in FIG. 19, it is possible to change the presentmode to the album mode while the image storage 4 is taking the imagesfrom the digital camera 6. It is also possible to mount the digitalcamera 6 on the docking station 5 in order to take the images from thedigital camera 6 into the image storage 4 while main body 1 is beingused in the album mode.

When image acquisition from the digital camera 6 to the image storage 4is completed before a mode is changed to the album mode, the flow ofFIG. 19 is not performed because the first image in the last folder isalready displayed in step S17 in FIG. 18.

On the contrary, when image acquisition from the digital camera 6 to theimage storage 4 is completed after mode is changed to the album mode,interruption is performed in step S19 in FIG. 1. And the message “thelast folder of image files is taken in” is indicated on the monitor 2,being superimposed on the current picture. The indication is beingdisplayed until a counter measures a predetermined time, for example,about 7 seconds, and ends at step S22. In the album mode, theabove-mentioned operation works without exception. A user who watchesthe message can view a new image in the last folder by the operationdescribed later.

FIG. 20 shows the details of the album mode operation in step S18 inFIG. 18. When the image is displayed in step S17 in FIG. 18 responsiveto the change to the album mode, the flow of the album mode starts atstep S24, subsequent to which steps S25-S30 follow. In step S25 to stepS30, various interruptions are possible as described below, and theprocess becomes standby at step S31. The operation time from the pressof a channel button 3 c in FIG. 16 to step S31 in FIG. 20 is extremelyshort.

To advance the image displayed on the monitor 2, the “+” button or the“−” button of the channel button 3 c in FIG. 16 is operated. Theoperation of advancing the image displayed on the monitor 2 is shown inFIG. 21. When the image is displayed on the monitor 4, if the button 3 cis pressed, picture-advance interruption is performed in step S32 inFIG. 21 and the process advances to step S33. In step S33, it isdetermined whether or not pressing of the button 3 c is advancing thepicture. If the “+” button of the channel button 3 c, which is foradvancing a picture, is pressed, then it is determined that the pressingof the button 3 c is advancing the picture and the process advances tostep S34. In step S34, and it is determined whether or not the lastpicture before pressing the “+” button is the last picture in thefolder. If the last picture before pressing the “+” button is not thelast picture in the folder, then the process advances to step S35. Afterone picture is advanced in step S35, the process advances to step S36and returns.

If the last picture before pressing the “+” button is the last picturein the folder in step S34, then the process advances to step S36 becausethere is not any picture to advance, and returns in step S36.Accordingly, when the picture is the last picture in the folder, if the“+” button is pressed, any operation does not occur.

In step S33, if the “−” button of the channel button 3 c is pressed,then it is determined that the pressing of the button 3 c is notadvancing the picture, and that the pressing of the button 3 c isreturning back the picture, and the process advances to step S37.

In step S37, it is determine whether or not the last picture beforepressing the channel button 3 c is the first picture in the folder. Ifit is determine that the last picture before pressing the channel button3 c is not the first picture in the folder, then one picture is returnedback in step S38 and the process returns in step S36. If the lastpicture before pressing the channel button 3 c is the first picture inthe folder, the process advances to step S36 because it is not necessaryto return back the picture any more, and returns. Accordingly, when thelast picture before pressing the channel button 3 c is the first picturein the folder, if the “−” button is pressed, then any operation does notoccur.

Although it is considered that the first picture and the last picture inthe folder are in the same folder, it is possible to make them to be thefirst picture and the last picture in all pictures in the image storage4. In this case, when the first picture in the last folder is displayedon the monitor 2, if the “−” button of the channel button 3 c ispressed, the last picture in the folder previous to the last folder isdisplayed.

If pressing the “−” button of the channel button 3 c is repeated, thefirst picture in the first folder of the image storage 4 appears on themonitor 2. Thus, even if the user does not know an operation forchanging hierarchy as described later, the user can view all pictures inthe image storage 4.

FIG. 22 shows various kind of indication displayed on monitor 2. G1 andG2 are pictures that are displayed on monitor 2. When the picture G1 isdisplayed on the monitor 2, if the “+” button of the channel button 3 cis pressed, then the picture G2 that is the next picture of the pictureG1 is displayed. When the picture G2 is displayed on the monitor 2, ifthe “−” button of the channel button 3 c is pressed, then the picture G1that is the previous picture of the picture G2 is displayed.

S1 shows nine small size pictures that are displayed in the ninedividend areas on the monitor 2, and S2 shows five small size picturesthat are displayed in the nine dividend areas on the monitor 2. S1 andS2 correspond to thumbnail pictures of the digital camera, and here, 14pictures in total are shown in S1 and S2.

F1 shows seven small size sequential indications that are displayed inthe nine dividend areas on the monitor 2. Each indication of F1 has asmall picture and textual information of a folder that contains thefolder name, date, and the contents of the folder. In this case, thereare seven folders.

Y1 or Y2 shows nine small size sequential indications that are displayedin the nine dividend areas on the monitor 2. Each indication of Y1 andY2 shows one of 18 calendar years.

The image storage 4 controls to display each indication of “thumbnails”,“folders” and “calendar years” in each of the nine dividend areas on themonitor 2. When a total number of indications is nine or less than nine,all indications are displayed simultaneously at one time. However atotal number of indications is more than nine, the image storagecontrols to display one different indication representing the nineindications. Accordingly, if there are more than nine folders, a pluralof different indications, each of which represents nine folders, arecreated and displayed in nine areas on the monitor 4 as described above.Since these pictures, thumbnails, folders and calendar years areconfigured as a hierarchy configuration (hereafter, pictures,thumbnails, folders and calendar years are called “hierarchy”).

FIG. 23 is a flow chart that shows the operation of hierarchy change.Referring to FIG. 23, to change the hierarchy displayed on the monitor 2in the album mode, the “+” button or the “−” button of a volume button 3d is pressed.

When the indication is displayed on the monitor 2, if the volume button3 d is operated, hierarchy change interruption is performed in step S39.When the “+” button of the volume button 3 d is pressed, it isdetermined that a transfer to the upper hierarchy is instructed in stepS40, and the process advances to step S41. In step S41, it is determinedwhether or not the displayed hierarchy before the volume button 3 d ispressed is the calendar year. If the displayed hierarchy is not thecalendar year, then the process advances to step S42. In step S42, onehierarchy is stepped up, and the process advances to step S43 andreturns.

For example in FIG. 22, when the picture G1 is displayed, if the “+”button of the volume button 3 d is pressed, then the thumbnail S1 isdisplayed instead of the picture G1. In this case, the small picture G1is placed in the upper left corner of the screen, and small picture G2is placed on the right of the G1. Other seven pictures are arrangedaccording to this order, and the ninth picture is arranged in the lowerright corner of the screen. Alternatively, it is possible to arrange theG1 picture in the center of the screen.

In step S41, if it is determined that the displayed hierarchy is thecalendar year, then, even if the “+” button of the volume button 3 d ispressed, nothing happens because the calendar year is the highesthierarchy and there is no hierarchy ahead of the calendar year.

In step S40, if the “−” button of the volume button 3 d is pressed, thenit is determined that a transfer to the upper hierarchy is notinstructed, and the process advances to step S44. In step S44, it isdetermined whether or not the displayed hierarchy before the volumebutton 3 d is pressed is the picture. If the displayed hierarchy beforethe volume button 3 d is pressed is not the picture, then the processadvances to step S45. In step S45, one hierarchy is stepped down, andthe process advances to step S43 and returns. For example in FIG. 22,the hierarchy transfers to the thumbnail (S1) from the folder (F1). Inthis case, nine thumbnails of the thumbnail (S1) are contained in thehead of the folder that is located in the upper left corner of thescreen In step S44, if the displayed hierarchy before the volume button3 d is pressed is the picture, then even if the “−” button of the volumebutton 3 d is pressed, nothing happens because the picture is the lowesthierarchy and there is no hierarchy under the picture. And in step S43,the process returns.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart that shows the operation of Stepping down of thehierarchy is also performed in the selective flow shown in FIG. 24, instead of using the hierarchy change interruption. For example, when thethumbnail S1 is displayed, if a “2” numeral button 3 e is pressed, aframe of the monitor 4 is changed to the picture G2, because the numeralbuttons 3 e from “1” to 11911 correspond to the positions of ninedividend areas on the monitor 4, respectively. By pressing one of thenumeral buttons 3 e, the corresponding area on the monitor 4 isselected. In FIG. 22, the thumbnail of picture G1 is located at thecenter of the upper row, and this position corresponds to the “2”numeral button. These operations are described in detail in FIG. 24.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart that shows the operation of selection in whichthe calendar year Y2 is used as a clue to search a picture.

When the picture is searched, for example, in the year 1988, a “6”numeral button is pressed because the year 1988 is located at the rightin the middle row of the calendar year index Y2. By pressing the “6”button, selection interruption starts in step S46. In step S47, it isdetermined whether or not the present hierarchy is the picture. If it isdetermined that the present hierarchy is the picture, then any operationis not performed, and the process advances to step S52 and returns. Thatis, if what is displayed on the monitor 2 is the picture, there is noroom for selection: press of any numeral button 3 e causes nothing.

Since the hierarchy is the calendar year, the process advances to stepS48 from step S47. In step S48, by pressing the “6” numeral button, allfolders created in 1988 are selected and arranged in order according tothe creation date.

In step S49, it is determined whether or not the hierarchy is thecalendar year, the folder or the thumbnail. In this case, since thehierarchy is the calendar year, the hierarchy is stepped down one stepin step S50 and becomes the hierarchy of the folder, thereby causing themonitor 2 to display the folder index F1. The first folder created in1988 is located in the upper left corner of the folder index F1, andother folders are arranged in order from the left to the right and fromthe top to the bottom of the screen according to the creation date. Instep S51, it is determined whether or not the present hierarchy—thestepped down new hierarchy—is the picture. In the case, since the newhierarchy is the folder, the process advances to step S52 and returns.

In steps from S53 to S56, operation that adds a process history to eachpicture is performed. In step S51, it is determined whether or not thestepped down hierarchy is the picture. If it is determined that thestepped down hierarchy is the picture, then the process advances to stepS53. In step S53, it is determined whether the mode is my-album mode,which is described in detail later.

If it is determined that the mode is not the my-album mode, then theprocess advances to step S54. In step S54, the date and time of pictureselection is written in the header portion of the picture, and theprocess advances to step S55. In step S55, a search history until thepicture is displayed and other selection conditions are written in theheader portion of the picture. This information is used as clues tosearch the same picture later. For example, the same picture can besearched by the search condition of “the image viewed one week ago”

In step S53, if it is determined that the mode is the my-album mode,then the process advances to step S56. In step S56, personalinformation, for example, a name of a person who searched the picturepreviously, is written in the header of the picture. This information isused as a clue to search the same picture. In step S49, if it isdetermined that the hierarchy is not any of the calendar year, thefolder or the thumbnail, then the hierarchy is considered to beirrelevant to the predetermined hierarchy, and selection processnecessary to select the thing is performed in step S57. For example,typical thing is the personal information in the my-album mode.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart that shows the operation of my-album mode.Pressing a menu button 3 f of the remote controller 3 displays the ninedividend areas on the screen to which the numbers from “1” to “9” areattached. The nine numbers can be replaced with, for example, personalnames of a family by an adequate input device.

In step S56, my-album interruption starts by pressing the menu button 3f. In step S57, the numbers from “1” to “9” are attached to the nineareas on the screen. Each of the nine areas having the numbers from “1”to “9” is arranged at the same position as each of the numeral buttons 3e from “1” to “9, respectively. In step S58, the flow returns, andbecomes a standby sate for operation of the numeral buttons 3 e.

For example, when the operator is a father and is designated with thenumber “1”, if the “1” of the numeral buttons 3 e is pressed, steps fromS46 to S49, step S57 and step S52 are executed in FIG. 24. After that,if the picture is selected, then information on father is written in theheader of the selected picture through step S51, step S53 and step S56.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart that shows the operation of retrieval. When aselection button 3 g of the remote controller 3 is pressed in FIG. 16,retrieval interruption starts in step S59 in FIG. 26, and a retrievalconditions entry screen is displayed in step S60. By operating theselection button 3 g adequately, it is possible to change a retrievalcategory that is indicated in the retrieval conditions entry screen instep S61. To input the retrieval condition such as the date, the numeralbuttons 3 e is used in step S62.

When the retrieval conditions are determined, pressing a conclusionbutton 3 h advances the process from step S63 to step S64. Since stepsfrom S61 to S63 are repeated every predetermined time while storing thelast operation result, it is possible to repeat changes in step S61 andS62 as long as the conclusion button 3 h is not pressed.

In step S64 retrieving is performed and the resultant folder is created.In step S65 a retrieved result is displayed in a form such as thethumbnail index S1 in FIG. 22. If more than nine images have beenretrieved or retrieve conditions contain the hierarchy, retrievedresults are separated adequately to a plural of folders, being displayedlike the folder index F1 in FIG. 22. In steps from S66 to S69,information for later retrieval is written in the headers of retrievedimages, and the process advances to step S70 and returns.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart that shows the operation of printing. In thecase where an image is displayed on the monitor 2, when the user desiresto print the image, pressing the conclusion button 3 h starts printinterruption in step S71 in FIG. 27. When the image is not displayed onthe monitor 2, if the conclusion button 3 h is pressed, any operation isnot performed, and the process advances to step S78 from step S72 andreturns. When the image is displayed on the monitor 2, if the conclusionbutton 3 h is pressed, then the process advances to step S73.

In steps from S73 to S75, information for later retrieval is written inthe header of the image. In step S751, it is determined whether or notthe header of the image has print information. If the header of theimage has not the print information, then the process advances to stepS76. In step S76, information to print is written in the header of theimage. In step S77, a message “printing has been received” issuperimposed on the screen of the monitor 2.

In step S751, if the header of the image has the print information, thenthe process advances to step S752. In step S752, information written inthe header of the image is deleted. In step S753, the superimposedmessage “printing has been received” is deleted, and the processadvances to step S78 and returns. These steps from S751 to S753 areperformed when a different image is retrieved. The execution of printingis performed all together when the album mode is finished.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart that shows the operation of an album modecompletion mode. The album mode finishes when a change operation toother mode is performed, or when the main power of the image storage 4is turned off carelessly. For example, when the album mode button 3 b ispressed to change to the television mode from the album mode, when avideo-1 button 3 j is pressed to change to a video-1 mode, or when themain power switch of the image storage 4 is operated, the mode changeinterruption starts in step S79 in FIG. 28.

In step S80 and step S81, the same processes as the processes in step S7and step S8 in FIG. 18 are performed. In step S91, it is determinedwhether the album mode change flow is started by changing to other modeor by turning off the main power. If the album mode change flow isstarted by changing to other mode, then the process advances to stepS82. In step S82, it is determined whether or not there is an imagehaving printing information. If it is determined that there is an imagehaving printing information, then a thumbnail index like S1 in FIG. 22is displayed in step S83.

Then, when the conclusion button 3 h of the remote controller 3 ispressed, printing is performed and information that printing has beenperformed is written into the header of the image in step S85. In stepS86, changing to designated mode is performed. Since moving to step S86from step S85 is performed just after printing is instructed, realprinting action is performed in the background of other mode, forexample, during viewing TV program.

In step S82, if there is not any image having printing information, thenthe process advances to step S86. In step S84, if the menu button 3 f ofthe remote controller 3 is pressed instead of the conclusion button 3 h,then printing is held in step S90, and the process advances to step S86.

In step S90, information that printing is put on the shelf is written inthe header of each image. After this time, a message that printing isnot performed is indicated for the predetermined time at such a timewhen the power of the main body is turned on, or when the mode ischanged. This indication is repeated until printing of each image isperformed, or the delete of printing is performed.

In step S87, a displayed image is stored in the frame memory 4 m. Thereason why the displayed image is stored in the frame memory is toretain the same state of the album mode before being changed to othermode when the mode is changed back to the album mode again. After thisprocess, the printing action is performed in parallel in the backgroundof the designated mode.

In step S88, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time ispast after the mode is changed to other mode. If it is determined thatthe predetermined time is past after the mode is changed to other mode,then the process advances to step S89. If the predetermined time is notpast, then measuring time is continued.

In step S89, to lower power consumption, the memory 4 f of the imagestorage 4 is stopped and the mode is changed to a power saving mode. Thereason why the power saving mode begins after the predetermine time isas follows. If the mode is changed to other mode carelessly, the modemay immediately return to the image storage mode. In this case, if thememory 4 f is halted every time, and driven again, it is not convenientbecause it takes a considerable time to become the album mode. And it isnot desirable that the memory 4 f is overdriven.

In the case where it is determined that the album mode change flow isstarted by turning off the main power in step S91, the process advancesto step S92. In step S92, it is determined whether or not an image hasprint information. If the image has print information, then printing isheld in step S93, and the process advances to step S94 without executingprinting.

In step S93, information on print holding is written in the header ofeach image. On such a time when the power of the main body is turned onor the mode is changed, a message that there is an image not printed isdisplayed for the predetermined time. This indication is repeated untilprinting is executed or printing is deleted.

In step S92, if the image has not print information, then the processadvances to step S94. In step S94, the mode is changed to the televisionmode, and the process advances to step S95. In step S95, the power ofthe image storage 4 is turned off after a completion procedure such asthe halt of the memory 4 f of the image storage 4 is performed.

All functions of the printer 9, which includes the on-off switch of thepower source, are controlled by the image storage 7. The CPU 1 h of theimage storage 7 receives instructions, which controls the printer 9,from the remote controller 3 through the main body 1, transmitting thereceived instruction to the printer 9. The CPU 1 h refers a state of theimage storage 7 and devices connected to the image storage 7, therebypermitting the instructed control, determining an output timing andexecuting the control.

Furthermore, the system has the following advantages. That is, theprinter can be operated in consistent with an operation and a state ofanother device. When the image storage 7 is operated, the image storage7 does not need a special remote controller, but needs only the remotecontroller 3 that is common to other devices. Furthermore, the system isconvenient to use, since the remote controller 3 always controls anotherdevice only through the main body 1, without reference to the kind ofthe controlled device. Accordingly, since other devices besides the mainbody 1 do not receive a signal from the remote controller 3, the systemdoes not have a limit that there must not be an obstacle between thesignal receiving part of the device and the remote controller 3.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 29 is a schematic view that shows the Second Embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 30 a block diagram that shows the configurationof the Second Embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 29, a modem 10 for telecommunication and a telephone11 are added to the configuration of the First Embodiment in FIG. 1, andan image storage 7 and the digital camera 8 in the Second Embodiment aredifferent from the image storage 4 and the digital camera 6 in the FirstEmbodiment. Other devices besides these four devices in the SecondEmbodiment are the same as the devices in the First Embodiment. In theconfiguration of the Second Embodiment, although the telephone 11 isconnected to the image storage 7 through the modem 10, this connectionis also possible in the configuration of the First Embodiment in FIG. 1.

In the Second Embodiment of the present invention, an AC adapter thatfeeds power to the digital camera 8 through a cable 8 a is built in theimage storage 7. The cable 8 a is a special standard cable, including apower supplying cable and a signal transmitting cable, which connectsthe digital camera 8 with the image storage 7. The image storage 7 inthe Second Embodiment is for general-purpose use the same as the imagestorage 4 in the First Embodiment. The cable 8 a for the digital camera8 is the only exclusive product in the Second Embodiment. Connecting thedigital camera 8 with the image storage 7 by the cable 8 a causes thedigital camera 8 automatically to charge power and to transmit data.

Referring to FIG. 30, the digital camera 8 has a special standardterminal 8 c that is a combined terminal of a charging terminal and asignal terminal that is in conformity with the IEEE 1394. The signalterminal of the special standard terminal 8 c is connected to thecircuit system of the digital camera 6, and the charging terminal of thespecial standard terminal 8 c is connected to a rechargeable battery 6b. The cable 8 a, which is connected to the special standard terminal 8c, is a special standard cable that is a combined cable of the chargingcable 8 d and a signal cable 8 e that is in conformity with the IEEE1394.

The image storage 7 has a special standard terminal 7 i that is acombined terminal of a charging terminal and a signal terminal that isconformity with the IEEE 1394 standard. The charging terminal of thespecial standard terminal 7 i is connected to an AC adapter 7 j, and thesignal terminal of the special standard terminal 7 i is connected to aIEEE 1394 terminal 7 k.

As described above, the image storage 7 is a general-purpose productthat may be used for various kinds of digital cameras. The considerableamount of digital cameras, however, are driven by different power-supplyvoltages. Therefore, the AC adapter 7 j is constructed to be able toselect a plural of voltages. A CPU 7 e of the image storage 7 detectsinformation on the power-supply voltage of the digital camera 8 throughthe terminal 8 c, the signal cable 8 e, terminal 7 i and the IEEE 1394terminal 7 k. Then, the CPU 7 e controls the AC adapter 7 j to output apower-supply voltage suitable for the digital camera 8 according to thedetected information. Thus, by making only the terminal 8 c adopt thespecial standard, it is possible to apply different power-supplyvoltages to digital cameras.

In the system as shown in FIG. 30, the IEEE 1394 terminal 7 m is coupledwith the printer 9. Although the modem 10 is omitted in FIG. 30, it isreally possible to add the modem 10 to the system in FIG. 30.Explanations of other things besides the modem 10 in FIG. 30 are omittedbecause they are the same as in FIG. 2.

According to the Second Embodiment of the present invention, whentransmitting and storing the entire image data in one holder into theimage storage 7 is completed, all thumbnails contained in this holderare displayed on a monitor 2. An arbitrary thumbnail in the holder isselected as the thumbnail representing the folder, and the folder's nameis assigned to the selected thumbnail. The first image of the folder is,usually, selected as the representative image. Display of thumbnails andselection of the representative image may be made independent oftransmitting and storing image data from the digital camera 6 to theimage storage 7, and may be performed after completion of thetransmitting and storing.

The remote controller 3 as shown in FIG. 31 has a menu button 45, and aselection button 46 that is used to search a folder or an image from theimage storage 7. Since the menu button 45 and the selection button 46are not comprised in the First Embodiment, the remote controller 3 inthe Second Embodiment is not the same as the remote controller 3 in theFirst Embodiment. The remote controller 3 in the Second Embodiment isused to select a menu displayed on the monitor 2 and to perform themenu. The remote controller 3, as a matter of course, is also used forviewing TV programs. The operation buttons of the remote controller 3,therefore, are used for selecting and performing the menu, and viewingTV programs.

<Selecting Mode>

By turning on the main switch, a main body 1 of the present embodimentstarts in the television mode in the Second Embodiment as well as in theFirst Embodiment, and mode selection interruption is enabled. Then, TVmode processing is performed and it becomes possible to receive TVprogram. When the menu button 45 (FIG. 31) of the remote controller 3 ispressed, the mode selection interruption is performed in the main body1.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart that shows the operation of mode selectionprocessing. The CPU 1 h of the main body 1 performs the mode selectionprocessing. By pressing the selection button 45, the “Mode Selection”page at page 50 as shown in FIG. 33 is superimposed on the TV programimage on the monitor 2 (S301). The displayed Mode Selection “page 50includes a TV operating menu 51 in addition to a mode selection menu 52.The TV operating menu 51 is a menu for normal operation of the main body1 on view of a TV program, and a selected item in the TV operating menu51 is processed in the main body 1. A part of the menu such as qualitycontrol is also usable in the album mode.

The mode selection menu 52 contains three option items, “Album Mode”,“Print Mode” and “Return to Television Mode”. The “Album Mode” and the“Print Mode” are used for operating the image storage 7. Selecting thesetwo option items makes the image storage 7, which communicates with theprinter 9, execute the process of the “Album Mode”, the “Print Mode”, orthe on-off of the power source.

When the user selects an item in the mode selection menu, the user canselect a desired item by pressing a conclusion button 47, after placinga cursor 53 on a desired item by operating the conclusion button 47.

In step S302, it is determined that the selected item is which item ofthree items. If the selected item is the “Return To Television”, thenthe process advances to the process of the television mode processing instep S303. If the selected mode is the album mode or print mode, thenthe process advances to step S304. In step S304, the power of the imagestorage 7 is set on, and process advances to step S305.

In step S305, it is determined whether the selective mode is the printmode or the album mode. If the selective mode is the album mode, thenthe process advances to the album mode process in step S306. If theselective mode is the print mode, then the process advances to stepS307. In step S307, the power of the printer 9 is turned on and theprocess advances to step S308. In step S304 or S307, if the power of theimage storage 7 or the printer 9 has been turned on, nothing isperformed therein and the process advances to the next process.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart that shows the operation of the album mode(i.e., the operation of the image storage 7).

Selecting the “Album Mode” in the “Mode Selection” page as shown in FIG.33 makes the CPU 7 e of the image storage 7 transmit a signal to the CPU1 h of the main body 1. Then, the CPU 1 h changes an image on themonitor 2 from a TV frame screen to an image stored in the image storage7. The CPU 4 e transmits the data of information on all folders storedin a memory 7 f of the image storage 7 to a frame memory 106, and makesthe monitor 2 display the information on all folders on the page“Information on All Folders”, as shown in FIG. 35. The page “Informationon All Folders” includes the thumbnails of the representative images, alisting of information on all folders, search option items, the “PrintMode” button, and the “Return to Television Mode” button.

The thumbnail 30 of the representative image of folder is arranged inorder of the folder number that is assigned to each folder as shown inFIG. 35. Since the user can select the desired folder after identifyingthe thumbnail of the representative image, he can surely select thedesired folder.

The page “Information on All Folders”, which is used in the album mode,has the button of “Return to the Television Mode”. Whenever the userdesires to view a TV program, he can return to the TV frame screen bypressing the button of “Return to the Television Mode.”

The listing of information on all folders displayed on the monitor 2 arearranged in decreasing order of the date of photography, regardless ofwhen folders are created, that is, regardless of whether folders arecreated at the time of shooting or at the time of storing information ina memory 47. The desired folder can be selected by pressing theselection button 46 of which number is same as the folder number anddetermined by pressing the conclusion button 47 (S205).

The listing of information on all folders displayed on the monitor 2also includes condition for sort. The condition for sort can bedetermined by pressing the conclusion button 47 after the target folderis selected by pressing the selection button 46 of the remote controller3.

By the above-mentioned selecting operation, the representative imagecorresponding to the selected desired folder is distinguished from otherimages in a manner that the representative image is bordered, ordisplayed brightly.

Furthermore, the “Folder/Image Search” item in the page “Information onAll Folders” can search an image or a folder as necessary from the dataof images or folders stored in the image storage 7. To search imagesusing the “Folder/Image Search” item in the page “Information on AllFolders”, the number “0” is selected by using a channel button 43.(S202)

When the desired folder is determined in step S205 or step S202,compressed image data stored in the selected folder is read in the framememory 4 m and converted to analog data. The converted analog data isdisplayed as an image containing nine small images, on the screen of themonitor 2 (S207). FIG. 36 is an explanatory drawing that shows thedisplayed page “Images in a folder” in step S207.

The page “Images in a folder” in FIG. 36 is opened from the page“Information on All Folders” in FIG. 35 using the remote controller 3 asfollows. The remote controller 3 has numeral buttons to select TVprograms. The numeral buttons 48 of the most widely used remotecontroller has the arrangement of 4×3 as shown in FIG. 31. In theembodiments of the present invention, nine numeral buttons from 1 to 9are used.

When the image storage 7 displays the thumbnails on the monitor 2, thethumbnails are placed in the same arrangement as that of the numeralbuttons 48. A thumbnail is selected by pressing the numeral buttonlocated at the same position as the target thumbnail.

Each image in a folder, which is designated as a target image that isread out from the data stored in the image storage 7, has a series ofnumber. This number is displayed together with each thumbnail. If theoperator selects a thumbnail image, which is not displayed on themonitor 2, by designating the number of the thumbnail with the channelbutton 43, the thumbnail image can be displayed jumping to thecorresponding folder.

In the present embodiment, although the remote controller has twelvenumeral buttons, the present invention is not limited to the remotecontroller having twelve numeral buttons. In the future, it is expectedthat the number of selectable TV channel will increase because of thetendency that multi-channel TV broadcasting is widening. Therefore,selecting images by the remote controller for multi-channel TV iseffective in selecting stored images.

In step S202 in FIG. 34, if it is determined that “Folder/Image Search”is selected, then the process advances to step S203 and search conditionsetting is performed. After the search condition setting, searching isperformed in step S204 and the process advances to step S207. The searchcondition setting in step S203 will be described later in FIG. 37.

Then, the operation of selecting one of images displayed on the monitor2, as shown in FIG. 36, and viewing the image will be explained hereinlater.

In step S208, the desired thumbnail is selected from thumbnailsdisplayed in step S207. The desired thumbnail is selected by using theselection button 46 of the remote controller 3 and determined bypressing the conclusion button 47. Then process advances to step S209.In step S209, the image data corresponding to the determined thumbnailis read out from the memory 7 f and stored in a frame memory 7 m. Instep 210, the selected image is displayed after the image data isconverted to analog data. In step S207, if the desired thumbnail is notfound in the first frame screen, which includes nine thumbnails, thenext frame screen is displayed by using a volume button 42 (S211). Thus,the desired image is read out from the memory 7 f and it is possible toview the desired image on the monitor 2.

In step S211, if it is determined that the viewed image is printed, thenprinting the image is selected by pressing the “Print Mode” buttondisplayed on the frame screen, using the selection button 46 of theremote controller 3, and determined by pressing the conclusion button47.

Although it is described that the printer 9 is powered on when the printmode is selected referring to FIG. 32, the printer 9 may be powered onif the power of the printer 9 is off when printing is instructed in stepS211, as shown in step S211 to S213 in FIG. 34. Alternatively, theabove-mentioned printing instruction is also used as a signal that makesthe printer be powered on.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart that shows the operation of the search conditionsetting process. FIG. 38 is an explanatory drawing showing the page ofthe search condition setting menu displayed on the monitor 2 in stepS202.

The search conditions, specifically, include a frame number that isautomatically attached to the image at the time of photography, the textdata that the user inputs, such as the date and time of photography, thetitle of the image, the date of battery charge and memos.

The input data such as the title or user's name shown in figures of thepresent embodiment are used as a folder name, being recorded on arecording medium of the camera at the time of photography. This samefolder name is also used in the memory 7 f. The search condition itemsinclude the folder number in the memory 7 f, the date of battery charge,the date of photography, photographer's name, title and memos in thepresent embodiment.

In step S221, it is determined whether or not the search conditionscreated in the past are read out from the memory 7 f and displayed onthe monitor 4. This process, for example, is like the conventional workto take out the photographic album that was arranged in the past. Twoalternative operations are selected in step S221. If it is determinedthat the search conditions created in the past are not read out from thememory 7 f and displayed on the monitor 4, then the first operation isperformed, advancing to the step S221 to S227. In the first operation,the user can select one among preassigned option items by using theselection button 46 and determine the values with the conclusion button47 of the remote controller 3. If it is determined that the searchconditions created in the past are read out from the memory 7 f anddisplayed on the monitor 2, then the second operation is performed,advancing to step S222, the process of reading out the search condition.The second one is to select the “Reading Out” option item in the “Album”item in the “Search Condition Setting” page, and to determine the albumname with the conclusion button 47.

In the first operation, one of the option items in each search conditionitem that are preassigned is selected, or adequate words are inputaccording to instructions instructed in the “Search Condition Setting”page. In step S223, it is determined whether or not photographer's nameis selected. If it is determined that the photographer's name isselected, then the process advances to step S229 and the selectedphotographer's name is indicated. In FIG. 38, preassigned photographer'sname includes “TARO”, “HANAKO”, and “ICHIRO” as the option items, whoare members of a family, and “HANAKO” is selected as the photographer.The option item is described later in the process of entering and savingconditions in step S232.

In step S224, it is determined whether or not the range of the date ofphotography is selected. If it is determined that the range of the dateof photography is selected, then the process advances to step S225 andthe range of the date of photography is input therein, and the processadvances to step S229. In step S226, it is determined whether or not thetitle is selected, in the same manner that is performed in step S223.The preassigned title can use the folder name created at the time ofshooting, as its own name. If it is determined that the preassignedtitle is selected, then the process advances to step S229.

In step S227, it is determined whether or not the memos are searched.The memo searching can search memos of text data that were created atthe time of shooting or editing an album, with partial match retrieval,over all folders. If it is determined that the memos are searched, thenthe process advances to step S228 and keywords for retrieval are inputtherein. Inputting keywords is performed using a character code table,displayed on the monitor 2, by operating the selection button 46 and theconclusion button 47 of the remote controller 3. Inputting keywords maybe also performed with a keyboard (not shown) or a pen-input deviceconnected to the CPU of the image storage 7.

The second operation is performed in the process of reading out thetitle of the album in step S222. In step S222, the title of the albumcreated in the past, stored in the memory 7 f, is read out. FIG. 39 is aflow chart that shows the operation of searching the title of the album.Referring to FIG. 39, the process starts from step S222 by selecting the“Read Out” option of the “Album” item in the “Search Condition Setting”page shown in FIG. 38, using the selection button 46 of the remotecontroller 3. In step S240, all search conditions stored in the folderof the titles of the album in the memory 7 f are read out and displayedas the listing on the screen. FIG. 40 is an explanatory drawing thatshows the page of “Listing of Album Titles”.

In this page of “Listing of Album Titles”, the title of the album issearched in the same manner as performed in FIG. 35. In the flow of FIG.39, in step S242 to S243, the required title of the album is input andsearched. In step S246 to S247, a title of the album is selected fromthe displayed listing by operating the selection button 46 and theconclusion button 47 of the remote controller 3. The resulting titles ofthe album are displayed in step S244.

In step S232 in FIG. 37, the process of saving and entering the searchconditions such as the title of the album or the memo is performed.

FIG. 41 is a flow chart that shows the operation of saving and enteringthe search conditions. This operation starts when the “Save” option itemof the “Album” item in the “Search Condition Setting” page shown in FIG.38 is selected with the selection button 46 and determined with theconclusion button 47 of the remote controller 3.

In step S250, it is determined whether the search condition item such asthe “Title” or the “Date of Photography” is added or deleted, andlikewise, it is determined whether the option item in the searchcondition items is added or deleted. If it is determined that the searchcondition item or the option item is added or deleted, then the processadvances to step S251. If it is determined that the search conditionitem or the option item is not added or deleted, then the processadvances to step S257. In step S257, the operation of entering the titleof the album is performed, resulting in the title of the album stored inthe memory 7 f. The title of the album is created by pressing thechannel button 43 using the “Character Code Table” and determined bypressing the conclusion button 47, resulting in a file stored in thefolder of the title of the album in the memory 7 f.

Furthermore, in step S250, if it is determined that the search conditionitem or the option item is deleted or added, pressing the selectionbutton 46 of the remote controller 3 determines it. Step 251 throughstep 255 process deletion or addition of the search condition item orthe option item. If there is not the item to delete, the processadvances to step 256 where the option item of the search condition itemis added.

FIG. 42 is a flow chart of operation of assigning an option item of eachsearch condition item in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. The flowchart is performed when search condition items suchas “Photographer, ““The Date of Photography, ““Title, “and “Memo” areassigned.

The flowchart is also performed when “Image ID” or “PhotographicCondition” is added as search condition. To add “Image ID” as a searchcondition, the number of option items is entered in step S260, and thesearch condition name “Image ID” is entered in step S263. In step S264,the option items of “Image ID” such as “99041501” “99040403” and“98040203” are entered. The entering operation of the character such as“Image ID”, “99041501”, “99040403” and “98040203“is performed bypressing the channel button 43 of the remote controller 3, using“Character Code Table”, and determined by pressing the conclusion button47.

After the process of step S264 is performed, the number of searchcondition items and option items is entered, and the similar operationpreviously described is repeated, thereby search condition items beingentered.

Thus, the present invention does not need the special remote controllerfor image storage 7 because the remote controller 3 for a television setis widely used in homes and can activate the image storage 7.Furthermore, even a person that is clumsy at handling a machine canoperate it easily because operating procedures are displayed on themonitor.

It is desirable to display a thumbnail of the image that is searchedaccording to the search condition items that are entered by thepreviously mentioned operation, and to add the thumbnail as therepresentative image to the “Listing of Album Titles”, by adding a newstep, where an arbitrary thumbnail among searched images is selected andstored, to the flowchart shown in FIG. 41 between step 250 and S257,because the album desired to view can be surely selected.

When the “Print Mode” menu is selected in “Mode Selection” page 50 shownin FIG. 33, the print mode process is performed. The print mode processis a process that outputs a desired print from the image storage 7.Although one embodiment of print output process is shown in step S207 toS212 in FIG. 34, the present embodiment having higher function will bedescribed as follows. The explanation of the system configuration isomitted because the present embodiment has the same systemconfiguration. The symbols used in the previous embodiment are also usedin the present embodiment.

(a) Memory Contents of the Image Storage

All image data taken by the digital camera are transferred and stored inthe memory 7 f of the image storage 7. Folder name, folder number, filename, or file number designated while being transferred and recorded, orbeing succeeded by the data given while taking picture, is attached toimage data stored in the memory 7 f. Each image data transferred andstored in the image storage 7 includes comments, for example, the dateof photography or various memos attached while taking picture.

A print instruction signal indicating that an image is to be printed isattached to all image data while taking picture. The print instructionsignal can be erased by operating the digital camera. Accordingly, inimage data stored in the image storage, image data with the printinstruction signal intermingle with image data without the printinstruction signal.

(b) Selection of Print Image

A desired print is designated by attaching a print instruction signalwhile taking picture with a digital camera, or by adding the printinstruction signal to a selected and displayed image obtained by albummode processing in the print mode. Further in the print mode, a printcondition for attaching comments to a print image or designatingtrimming may be set up, if necessary. Attaching comments, designatingtrimming, and adding, deleting and changing print instruction signal aredescribed later in detail.

Attaching comments, designating trimming and processing regardingsetting up print instruction signal may be performed in the album mode.

(c) Print

Print mode will be described in detail by means of a flow chart shown inFIG. 43. The flow chart shows processing performed by the CPU 7 e thatis controller of the image storage 7.

When print mode starts, the image storage 7 displays print menu 54 shownin FIG. 44 on the monitor 2 superimposing on a current displaying image(S311). In FIG. 44, although it is described an example that whenprevious mode is the album mode, print menu is superimposed on thumbnailpictures, when previous mode is TV mode, it is superimposed on TV image.

Print menu 54 includes “successive print”, “package print” and “settingup print condition”. In step 312, processing flow is controlled inaccordance with selected menu.

When successive print is selected, flow goes to S313, an image to beprinted is selected by album mode function described before, the imageis displayed on the monitor 2, and, at the same time, a menu indicatingstart printing is superimposed on it (S314). Here, it is possible toperform interruption processing to displayed image such as designatingtrimming (S315), attaching comments (S316), or setting up printcondition (S317), if necessary. Each interruption processing will bedescribed later. Above described steps S313 and S314 surrounded bydotted line are album mode function described before. Print starts bypushing down the conclusion button 47 (S318), displayed image on themonitor 2 is printed (S319), the next image is selected (S320), and flowreturns to step S313.

When package print is selected in step S312, flow goes to step S321, anda folder including an image to be printed is selected by album modefunction. The folder is selected by folder name searched and designated,or by specific image searched. When searched image is included in aplurality of files, image control information for the searched image iswritten temporarily in a folder automatically produced for printing.When above mentioned folder is produced, the folder is selected forprint. Meanwhile, thumbnail pictures or selected images are suitablydisplayed by album mode function. Further, menu for starting packageprint is displayed in superimposing manner, flow goes to step S322 bypressing the conclusion button 47, and package print starts.

In package print, all images attached with print instruction signal inthe selected folder are printed sequentially with the designated numberof print. In step S323, processing flow is controlled in accordance witha mode (previous mode) selected by pushing the selection button 45 ofthe remote controller 3.

When previous mode is TV mode, flow goes to step S331, and TV modeprocessing is performed. That is, ordinary TV processing is performedand, at the same time, printing is continued in hidden mode (S332).Then, a signal indicating progress of printing (remaining number ofprint) or finished printing is displayed on the monitor 2 byinterruption (S333). Then, flow goes back to step S311 continuing TVmode processing.

When previous mode is the album mode, flow goes to step S324, and animage under printing is displayed. At a same time, progress of printingis displayed in super imposing manner (S325). When all printing has beencompleted (S326), “package print completed” is displayed (S327), and theprocessing is terminated.

Or, in step S324, only images attached with print instruction signal inselected folder are displayed in thumbnail pictures, and progress ofprinting S325 may be displayed by finished displaying thumbnail picturethat is finished printing.

When setting up print condition is selected in step S312, flow goes tostep S341, menu for setting up print condition shown in FIG. 45 isdisplayed on the monitor 2 in superimposing manner. Print condition suchas print image quality, a kind of printing paper, the number of print,need to output comment or not, setting up comment, is input and set upby suitably selecting menu. Then, flow goes back to step S311, and printmenu is displayed again for further selection. After this, package printis performed under settled print condition. Successive print alsoperformed under settled print condition unless different condition isset in step S317. Although the interruption processing of S317 forsetting up print condition is similar to S341, various print conditionset in this step is only effective in next print, and print condition isreturned to previous setting after finished printing. By the way, acondition thought to be most general is being set to each item bydefault.

(d) TV Mode Processing

TV mode processing in step S331 is a similar processing to that in stepS303, which makes it possible to watch TV while performing packageprint. This processing is performed by the CPU 1 h of the main body 1.TV mode processing is described below with the help of flow chart shownin FIG. 46.

When TV mode processing starts, the main body 1 receives ordinary TVbroadcasting in step S351, and, in step S353, judges whether aninterruption signal S352, which indicates progress in printing orfinished printing from the CPU 7 e of aforementioned the image storage 7shown as S333 in FIG. 43, is happened or not. When the interruptionsignal S352 is not happened, flow goes to step S355. When theinterruption signal S352 is happened, flow goes to step S354, andprogress in printing or finished printing received from the CPU 7 e ofthe image storage 7 is displayed on the monitor 2 in superimposingmanner for predetermined time, and, then, flow goes to step S355. Instep S355, the CPU 1 h detects whether power supply to the main body 1is turned off or not. When power supply is not turned off, flow goesback to step S351, and TV broadcasting is continued receiving.

When it is detected in step S355 that power supply to the main body 1 isturned off, flow goes to step S356, and whether package print is goingon in hidden mode or not is detected. When package print is not goingon, flow goes to step S360, power supply to the main body 1, the imagestorage 7, and the printer 9 is turned off, and, then, processing isterminated. When package print is going on, flow goes to step S357, andpower supply to the TV receiver circuit of the main body 1 and themonitor 2 is turned off. Since power supply to the image storage 7 andthe printer 9 is not turned off, package print is continued untilfinished printing is detected in step S358, and signal of progress inprinting or finished printing is transmitted to the main body 1 forinterruption. When finished printing signal is detected in step S358,flow goes to step S359, power supply to the image storage 7 and theprinter 9 is turned off, power supply to the rest of the main body 1 isturned off, and, then, processing is terminated.

By the way, it may be possible to construct such that processing on andafter step S356 is mainly performed by the CPU of the image storage 7 toperform same effect as described above by outputting required signal tothe main body 1 or the printer if necessary.

When power supply to the TV receiver circuit of the main body 1 isturned off in step S357, the main body 1 records that the processingafter step S357 has been performed. When power supply to the main body 1is turned on next time, a comment that print exists in the printer isdisplayed. At that time, whether the printer 9 is working or stopping(including power off) is detected. It is desirable to display progressin printing when working, or display “finished printing” when stopping.

Further, the printer may produce electric or acoustic noise duringoperation, which is liable to disturb watching TV. Therefore, it may beconstructed such that when TV mode is started, printing is interruptedand only receiving TV broadcasting is performed in order to be able towatch TV without difficulty, and when power supply to the main body 1 isturned off, or when other than TV mode is selected, TV mode processingis restarted.

In addition, the CPU 1 h of the main body 1 may be modified to transmita control signal to the image storage 4 for making it inoperative whenthe main body 1 is changed into TV mode.

(e) Processing for Print Instruction Signal

Selection or designation of image to be printed can be performed by thedigital camera as well as by the album mode. That is, image selection inthe album mode (S313) and folder selection in the album mode (S321)shown in FIG. 32 include function for selecting image to be printed.

For example, when thumbnail pictures within a scope of desired imagedata, for example, images in specific folder or images designated bydate of photography designated in image selection function for watchingare displayed (as shown in FIG. 36), print selection mark P1 (32 in FIG.36) is displayed simultaneously with the right side of the image (31 inFIG. 36) on which print instruction signal has already been attached bythe digital camera. Print selection mark is not attached to the image(33 in FIG. 36) on which print instruction signal is not attached.

As described above, since print instruction signal is automaticallyattached when taking picture, print instruction signal is attached tothe image read in from the digital camera unless print instructionsignal is deleted by operating the digital camera. Thereby operationprocedure for printing in print mode is simplified.

Print selection mark P1 is displayed simultaneously with any one imageselected and displayed from thumbnail pictures by image selectionfunction. The number following the letter “P” of print selection markdenotes the number of prints to be printed. Print selection mark P1attached by the digital camera denotes one print.

The image storage 7 can attach, change or delete print selection mark toan image displayed on thumbnail pictures by operating the remotecontroller 3 (in FIG. 31). Specifically, a target image is selected anddisplayed, and the number following the letter “P” can be increased ordecreased by pushing down up button 42A or down button 42B of the volumebutton 42 of the remote controller 3. In FIG. 36, print selection markP2 (35) changed by above-mentioned operation is displayed beside image34, which denotes that the number of pint is two. When the number ofprint is zero, print instruction signal is deleted and print selectionmark is disappeared. If the up button 42A is pushed down while printselection mark is not displayed, then print selection mark P1 appears.

(f) Trimming

Trimming can be designated to an image displayed in the album mode byusing zooming function. Zooming function is activated by pushing downthe channel button 43 while an image is displayed. Zooming up or down isperformed by pushing down “+” button 43A or “−” button 43B of thechannel button 43 respectively. The range of the zoomed image displayedon the monitor 2 becomes the range of printing. When the conclusionbutton 47 is pushed down while zoomed image is displayed, range oftrimming and magnification is added to the image data.

When the image with this information is displayed, a mark T (36 in FIG.36) indicating that trimming condition is recorded is displayed rightside of the image. When images are displayed in due order by pushing theselection button 46, trimming image formed by trimming condition addedto the image is displayed after the original image. Therefore, the sametrimming image can be printed out in the future. Further, since formingthe trimming image is started while displaying original image, apparenttime for displaying the trimming image can be short. Since additionalrecording data to the memory 7 f of the image storage 7 for trimming isonly trimming condition, data amount for additional recording is smallin comparison with recording trimming image.

(g) Output Comment

In step S341 for setting up print condition, when comments A and B areset up and “request for outputting comment” is selected, commentattached to the image is printed outside the range of image as shown inFIG. 47. In this case, comment is displayed adjacent to the image in acomment display 62 arranged under an image display area 61 of the image60 displayed in the album mode. As for the comment, there are a commentA such as date of photography attached at the time of taking picture anda comment B added by using the remote controller 3 in the album mode.These comments A and B can be revised.

If comment A attached at the time of taking picture exists, the commentis displayed in the comment display 62 of the image 60. Then, a cursoris moved to the position for comment B, and additional comment B can beinput at the position by using the remote controller 3. Displayedcomment can be revised in a overwrite manner by moving a cursor toarbitrary position of the displayed comment, and inputting revisedcomment.

Furthermore, since comment B added in step S341 for setting up printcondition is attached to all prints printed after the setting up, it isconvenient to attach same comment. On the other hand, since a comment Battached in step of input print condition (S317) of successive print iseffective only in the particular image, it is convenient to attachdifferent comment to each image.

By the way, comment input function (S316) while setting up printcondition (S317) can be activated by operating comment input describedabove by using the numeral button 48 of the remote controller 3 whilewatching image.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of Third Embodiment of the presentinvention and the configuration of an image storage 4 is the same asthat of First Embodiment of FIG. 1. On the other hand, the digitalcamera 8 is the same as that of Second Embodiment of FIG. 29.

The characteristic of Third Embodiment of FIG. 48 is represented by acomplex battery charger 12. A cable 12 b connecting complex batterycharger 12 and the image storage 4 is of the IEEE 1394 standard and issame as the cable 5 a of FIG. 1. On the other hand, a cable 12 cconnecting complex battery charger 12 and the digital camera 8 is adedicated standard cable that includes a power supply cable and a signaltransmission channel like the cable 8 a of FIG. 29. A cable 12 a forcommon power source is the same as the cable 5 a of FIG. 1. Since otherconfiguration of the present embodiment is quite similar to that ofFirst Embodiment of FIG. 1, the explanation is omitted.

FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram of the system design for ThirdEmbodiment. In the complex battery charger 12, the cable 12 c thatincludes a recharge cable 12 d and a signal transmission channel 12 e inconformity with the IEEE 1394 combined in one is connected with aconnecting terminal 8 c. To cope with this, the complex battery charger12 has a connecting terminal 12 f in which a signal connector inconformity with the IEEE 1394 and a power supply connector are combinedin one. The power supply connector of the connecting terminal 12 f isconnected with an AC adapter 12 g and at the same time, the signalconnector is connected with an IEEE 1394 terminal 12 h. With the IEEE1394 terminal 12 h, the cable 12 b of the IEEE 1394 standard isconnected. A common power source is supplied to the AC adapter 12 g byway of the cable 12 a.

In Third Embodiment, complex battery charger 12 is the exclusiveaccessory for the digital camera 8 and the AC adapter 12 g supplies thespecific voltage with the digital camera 8. With a different digitalcamera 8, a different complex battery charger 12 with different voltageis to be supplied to cope with this. Thus, the image storage 4 can befor general-purpose use. The complex battery charger 12 does not needparticularly big cost increase since it is formed by only adding to anordinary battery charger IEEE 1394 terminal to connect with the imagestorage 4, and, preparing the connecting terminal combining the powersupply connector and the signal connector to connect the digital camera8, and, only wiring them.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of Fourth Embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, each function of First Embodiment of FIG.1 is integrated in one television set. To illustrate the detail of thatin relation with FIG. 1, the main body 1 and the monitor 2 are separatein First Embodiment, but in Fourth Embodiment of FIG. 50, they areconfigured as an ordinary television set. The main body 1 including atuner is housed in a case 13 together with a monitor 14. Other functionscorresponding to the image storage 4 in First Embodiment are alsoincorporated in the case 13.

Since in Fourth Embodiment, the main body 1 and functions correspondingto the image storage 4 in First Embodiment are integrated in one as anordinary television set, it is possible to memorize a program to controlthe main body 1 as well as image data in a large capacity memory 4 fconsisting of a hard disc for the image storage 4.

A storage space 15 is for a digital camera 18, and when a door 16 isclosed, the digital camera stored is shut tight and is made dust-proof.The storage space 15 is located at the place least affected by the heatand the electromagnetic wave emitted form television set and walls ofthe storage space may be made heat-resistant andanti-electromagnetic-wave structure as occasion demands.

A docking station 17 in FIG. 50 corresponds to the docking station 5 inFIG. 1 and is exclusively for the digital camera 18 and isinterchangeable in accordance with the type of the digital camera. Thedocking station 17 has standardized a power supply connector and asignal connector, and when it is fixed to the bottom of the storagespace 15, these connectors are connected with corresponding connectorsof the main body 1. The storage space 15 has enough space so as to copewith various types of cameras and docking stations, and only theconnector between the docking station and its arrangement isstandardized.

To illustrate the condition of use in Fourth Embodiment, the state thatthe desired docking station 17 is fixed to the storage space 15 isstandby state, and the digital camera 18 is, for example, used outdoors.When coming back home, only opening the door 16 and storing the digitalcamera 18 on the docking station 17 of the storage space 15 that is theusual storing place, and closing the door 16 finishes the basicprocedure. In such using environment, first of all, there is nopossibility of losing the digital camera, since it is stored in thefixed storage place all the time. Charge of battery and take-in ofimages are made automatically during being stored and the memory isemptied out. Therefore, at the time of next use, it won't be necessaryto look for the camera and to worry about the power source and freememory space for picture taking. Besides, as pictures taken in the pastare surely stored in the image storage of television set, there is nopossibility of loosing negatives or prints, as in the case ofsilver-halide film camera. Required picture can be found without fail,by searching in the image storage with looking at the monitor 14. And,as the image storage is an electronic file, efficient searching methodcan be conducted.

In Fourth Embodiment of FIG. 50, printer function and communicationfunction are also incorporated inside case 13. A modular jack 19 is forcoping with communication inside television set and also for connectingto the telephone 11. The system also includes a printer paper dischargeslot 20 and the cover 21 for printer paper supply. Common power sourceis supplied by way of a cable 22 for all such functions of televisionset.

Details of functions and operation in Fourth Embodiment of FIG. 50 arebasically the same as those in other Embodiments of the presentinvention, and they are operated by means of a remote controller.

In Fourth Embodiment, a card slot corresponding to the card slot 4 s ofFirst Embodiment is prepared in the position not seen in FIG. 50,digital still image can also be input from a card memory inserted inthis card slot, apart from by storing the digital camera 18.

Fifth Embodiment

Another Fifth Embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow.

Although an image storage and a printer are separate in First Embodimentto Fourth Embodiment, they are combined in one in Fifth Embodiment.Other configurations are the same as those in other Embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 51(a), the printer 9 is formed as a separate unit fromthe image storage 7 and is mounted on the image storage 7. In the topcover of the image storage 7, alignment means as a hollow 7A is providedfor engaging with projected parts 9A arranged in the bottom plate of theprinter 9 in order to mount the printer steadily. Signal transmissionmeans 7B and 9B such as a connector terminal and a photo coupler areprovided in the top cover of the image storage 7 and bottom plate of theprinter 9 to transmit image data and controlling signals between thestorage 7 and the printer 9. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 51(b), printoutput can be ready if the printer 9 is just mounted on at the fixedposition of the image storage 7.

Installation space can be saved since the image storage 7 and theprinter 9 are integrated in one (vertically). As they can also beseparated, when either of them is out of order, that part only can berepaired or exchanged.

According to the present invention, still images taken by a digitalcamera can be searched, viewed and printed as easily as withconventional silver-halide picture album and television broadcast can bewatched as much as possible.

1. A system including an image storage placed separately from atelevision set, wherein the image storage is to be connected to thetelevision set and comprises: a main memory for storing a plurality ofdigital still image data; a digital circuit for retrieving desired oneof the plurality of digital still image data from the main memory; aninput circuit for receiving a control signal from the television set;and a first output circuit for transmitting a still image signal to thetelevision set on the basis of the digital still image data retrieved bythe digital circuit; and wherein the television set comprises: atelevision circuit including a tuner for receiving a broadcast program;a monitor for selectively displaying one of the broadcast program fromthe television circuit and the still image on the basis of the stillimage signal transmitted from the image storage by the output circuit;and a second output circuit for transmitting the control signal to theinput circuit of the image storage.
 2. The system according to claim 1,wherein the television set further comprising a remote controller, andwherein the second output circuit is designed to transmit the controlsignal in response to the remote controller.
 3. An image storage to beseparately connected to a television set comprising: a main memory forstoring a plurality of digital still image data; a digital circuit forretrieving desired one of the plurality of digital still image data fromthe main memory; an input circuit for receiving a control signal fromthe television set; and an output circuit for transmitting a still imagesignal on the basis of the digital still image data retrieved by thedigital circuit.
 4. The image storage according to claim 3, wherein theoutput circuit includes an encoder for encoding the digital still imagesignal into the television signal which is transmitted to the televisionset.
 5. The image storage according to claim 3, wherein the main memoryis of a built-in type with a large capacity for forming a united database of the digital still image data.
 6. The image storage according toclaim 3, wherein the image storage is further connectable to a printer,and wherein the output circuit is designed to transmit the still imagesignal to the printer.
 7. The image storage according to claim 3,wherein the image storage is further connectable to amodulator-demodulator for data communication, and wherein the outputcircuit is designed to transmit the still image signal to themodulator-demodulator.
 8. The image storage according to claim 3,wherein the digital circuit retrieves the desired one of the pluralityof digital still image data in response to the control signal receivedby the input circuit.
 9. The image storage according to claim 3, whereinthe input circuit is designed to receive the control signal formed as adigital signal, and wherein the output circuit includes adigital-to-analog converter for converting the digital still image to ananalog still image signal which is transmitted to the television set.10. The image storage according to claim 3, further comprising anintegrated digital connector connectable to the television set, theinput circuit and the output circuit being connected to the digitalconnector.
 11. The image storage according to claim 3, furthercomprising a control circuit for controlling the digital circuit and theoutput circuit in response to the input circuit which receives thecontrol signal.
 12. The image storage according to claim 3, wherein themain memory has a rested condition and an active condition both with amain power supplied, wherein the main memory is changed between therested condition and the active condition in response to the inputcircuit which receives the control signal.
 13. The image storageaccording to claim 3, further comprising a temporary memory for storingthe digital still image data retrieved from the main memory, the outputcircuit transmitting the still image signal on the basis of the digitalstill image data stored in the temporary memory, wherein the digitalcircuit replaces the digital still image data in the temporary memory bya new digital still image data retrieved from the main memory inresponse to the input circuit which receives the control signal.
 14. Theimage storage according to claim 3, wherein the output circuit iscapable of selectively transmitting a first type of still image signalincluding information of a single digital still image data and a secondtype of still image signal including information of a plurality ofdigital still image data, the output circuit being designed to selectone of the first and second types of still image signal in response tothe control signal received by the input circuit.
 15. The image storageaccording to claim 14, wherein the output circuit is designed to replacethe second type of still image signal by the first type of still imagesignal in response to the control signal received by the input circuitwith the second type of image signal transmitted for a selection amongthe plurality of digital still image data included therein.
 16. Theimage storage according to claim 3, wherein image storage is capable ofbeing connected to a television set having a remote controller, andwherein the input circuit is designed to receiving the control signalwhich is originated by the remote controller of the television set. 17.The image storage according to claim 3, further comprising a mainswitch, and wherein the image storage is designed to be turned on or offin response to the control signal.
 18. A television set to be connectedto an image storage comprising: a television circuit including a tunerfor receiving a broadcast program; an input circuit for receiving astill image signal transmitted from the image storage; a monitor forselectively displaying one of the broadcast program from the televisioncircuit and the still image on the basis of the still image signalreceived by the input circuit; and an output circuit for transmitting acontrol signal to the image storage.
 19. The television set according toclaim 18, further comprising a remote controller, wherein the outputcircuit is designed to transmit the control signal in response to theremote controller.
 20. The television set according to claim 18, furthercomprising a mode selector for selecting between a first mode for themonitor to display the broadcast program and a second mode for themonitor to display the still image, and a manually operable member forcontrolling the television circuit in the first mode and for controllingthe output circuit in the second mode.
 21. The television set accordingto claim 20, further comprising a main switch, and wherein thetelevision set is turned on in the first mode in response to the mainswitch.
 22. The television set according to claim 20, further comprisinga remote controller, wherein the manually operable member is located atthe remote controller.
 23. A television set to be connected to anexternal device comprising: a television circuit including a tuner forreceiving a broadcast program; an input circuit for receiving an imagetransmitted from the external device; a monitor for selectivelydisplaying one of the broadcast program from the television circuit andthe image on the basis of the image signal received by the inputcircuit; a mode selector for selecting between a first mode for themonitor to display the broadcast program and a second mode for themonitor to display the image from the external device, and an outputcircuit for transmitting a control signal to make the external deviceoperative when the mode selector selects the second mode.
 24. Atelevision set to be connected to an external device comprising: atelevision circuit including a tuner for receiving a broadcast program;an input circuit for receiving an image transmitted from the externaldevice; a monitor for selectively displaying one of the broadcastprogram from the television circuit and the image on the basis of theimage signal received by the input circuit; a main switch; and an outputcircuit for transmitting a control signal to turn on the external devicewhen the main switch is turned on.
 25. The television set according toclaim 24, wherein the output circuit is designed to further transmit acontrol signal to turn off the external device when the main switch isturned off.
 26. A television set to be connected to an external devicecomprising: a television circuit including a tuner for receiving abroadcast program; an input circuit for receiving an image transmittedfrom the external device; a monitor for selectively displaying one ofthe broadcast program from the television circuit and the image on thebasis of the image signal received by the input circuit; a main switch;and an output circuit for transmitting a control signal to turn off theexternal device when the main switch is turned off.
 27. A television setto be connected to an external device comprising: a television circuitincluding a tuner for receiving a broadcast program; an input circuitfor receiving an image signal transmitted from the external device; amonitor for selectively displaying one of the broadcast program from thetelevision circuit and the image on the basis of the image signalreceived by the input circuit; a remote controller; and an outputcircuit for transmitting a control signal to the external device inresponse to the remote controller.
 28. A television set comprising: atelevision circuit including a tuner for receiving a broadcast program;a monitor for selectively displaying a single image and a set of aplurality of divided images; a mode selector for selecting between afirst mode for the monitor to display the single image and a second modefor the monitor to display the set of images; a remote controller forcontrolling the television circuit in the first mode and for selectingone of the plurality of divided images in the second mode; wherein theremote controller includes a set of the plurality of manually operablemembers to be commonly used in the first and second modes, and whereinan arrangement of a set of the plurality of divided images correspondsto the arrangement of the manually operable members.
 29. The televisionset according to claim 28, wherein the remote controller includes a setof s plurality of manually operable members to be commonly used in thefirst and second modes, and wherein the set of a plurality of dividedimages are arranged in a similar pattern to that of the manuallyoperable members.
 30. An image storage to be connected to a televisionset and to an external device comprising: an input circuit for receivinga control signal form the television set; and an output circuit fortransmitting an output signal to the external device in response to thecontrol signal received by the input circuit.
 31. The image storageaccording to claim 30, further comprising: a main memory for storing aplurality of digital still image data; and a digital circuit forretrieving desired one of the plurality of digital still image data fromthe main memory; wherein the output signal includes a still image signalon the basis of the digital still image data retrieved by the digitalcircuit.
 32. The image storage according to claim 31, wherein the mainmemory is of a removable type from the image storage.
 33. The imagestorage according to claim 31, further comprising: a second outputcircuit for transmitting an image signal to the television set fordisplay in response to the control signal received by the input circuit,the image signal being on the basis of the digital still image dataretrieved by the digital circuit.
 34. The image storage according toclaim 33, wherein the external device is a printer, and wherein thecontrol signal includes a selection signal for selecting at least one ofthe plurality of digital still image data to be printed by the printer,the selection being facilitated by the image signal transmitted to anddisplayed on the television set.
 35. The image storage according toclaim 30, wherein the output circuit includes a generator for generatingthe output signal in response to the control signal received by theinput circuit.
 36. The image storage according to claim 30, wherein theexternal device is a printer, and wherein the output circuit is designedto transmit the output signal to the printer.
 37. The image storageaccording to claim 36, further comprising: a main memory for storing aplurality of digital still image data; and a digital circuit forretrieving desired one of the plurality of digital still image data fromthe main memory; wherein the output signal includes a printer controlsignal for the printer to carry out the printing of a still image on thebasis of the digital still image data retrieved by the digital circuit.38. The image storage according to claim 37, wherein the digital circuitis designed to retrieve one of the plurality of digital still image datafrom the main memory in response to the control signal from thetelevision set, and wherein the output signal includes a still imagesignal on the basis of the digital still image data retrieved by thedigital circuit.
 39. The image storage according to claim 37, whereinthe control signal includes a selection signal for selecting at leastone of the plurality of digital still image data to be printed by theprinter.
 40. The image storage according to claim 36, wherein the outputsignal includes a power control signal for turning on or off theprinter.
 41. The image storage according to claim 36, furthercomprising: a main switch; and a communication circuit with the printerfor the main switch to be made off in response to the communication withthe printer.
 42. The image storage according to claim 41, wherein themain switch is made off when the image storage is informed by theprinter of the completion of its function by means of the communicationcircuit.
 43. The image storage according to claim 30, furthercomprising: a second output circuit for transmitting an image signal tothe television set in response to the control signal received by theinput circuit, whereby the change in the control signal is capable ofbeing monitored by the television set.
 44. The image storage accordingto claim 37, wherein the printer control signal is a command to startthe printing, the command being transmitted to the printer when thecontrol signal is received from the television set.
 45. The imagestorage according to claim 37, wherein the printer control signal is acommand to inhibit the printer from starting the printing, the commandbeing transmitted to the printer when the control signal is receivedfrom the television set.
 46. The image storage according to claim 37,wherein the printer control signal is a command to interrupt theprinting, the command being transmitted to the printer when the controlsignal is received from the television set.
 47. The image storageaccording to claim 46, wherein the printer control signal is a commandto restart the printing, the command being transmitted to the printerwhen the control signal is received from the television set.
 48. Theimage storage according to claim 37, wherein the control signal includesa first signal and a second signal, and wherein the input circuit isresponsive to the first signal for changing between a first modesensible to the second signal and a second mode insensible to the secondsignal.
 49. The image storage according to claim 37, wherein the controlsignal includes a first signal and a second signal, and wherein theoutput circuit is responsive to the first signal for changing between afirst mode to transmit the output signal in response to the secondsignal and a second mode not to transmit the output signal in responseto the second signal.
 50. The image storage according to claim 37,wherein the control signal from the television set is representative ofa condition for printing.
 51. The image storage according to claim 56,wherein the condition is a number of prints to be printed by theprinter.
 52. The image storage according to claim 30, wherein the imagestorage is capable of being connected to a television set having amanually operable member, and wherein the input circuit is designed toreceiving the control signal which is originated by the manuallyoperable member.
 53. The image storage according to claim 52, whereinthe image storage is capable of being connected to a television sethaving a remote, and wherein the manually operable member is located atthe remote controller.
 54. The image storage according to claim 36,wherein the output signal includes a power control signal for turning onor off the printer in response to the control signal from the televisionset.
 55. The image storage according to claim 54, further comprising asecond input circuit for receiving a printer status signal, wherein theoutput circuit is designed to be responsive to the status signal totransmit the power control signal for turning off the printer oncondition that the printer is not in operation.
 56. The image storageaccording to claim 36, wherein the output signal includes a command tostart the printing, the command being transmitted to the printer whenthe television set is turned off.
 57. The image storage according toclaim 36, wherein the image storage is capable of being connected to atelevision set changeable between a normal mode and a printer controlmode, and wherein the image storage further comprises a second outputcircuit for transmitting a mode changing signal to the television set tochange the television set from the printer control mode to the normalmode in response to a completion of preparing the printing.
 58. An imagestorage to be connected to a television set, the image storagecomprising: an integrated digital connector connectable to thetelevision set; and an input circuit for receiving a control signal fromthe television set, the input circuit and an output circuit beingconnected to the digital connector.
 59. The system according to claim 1,wherein the first output includes an encoder for encoding the digitalstill image signal into the television signal.